Real food done betta’
Fast-casual Jamaican cuisine made with real ingredients
Jrk! is the evolution of Jamaican cuisine, where chef-inspired dishes are served within a vibrant fast-casual environment.
We transform traditional, homemade Jamaican dishes to a health-conscientious selection by using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Heart and soul are institutionalized in our brand and we want to share that with the world.
Meet the Team
Wayne Sharpe, Co-Founder & Executive Chef
Wayne Sharpe is a talented chef with a lifelong passion for cooking. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Wayne's culinary journey began at a young age, preparing meals for his family. He attended hospitality school in Jamaica, where he received formal training in the culinary arts. After moving to Miami and later Atlanta, Wayne became chef-partner at Escovitchez and eventually co-founded Jrk! His experience in luminous presentation and flawless service in the food industry is central to our business.
Kavan Burke, Co-Founder & Director of Culture
Kavan Burke was born into hospitality, with culinary roots going back to his grandmother who operated a restaurant from the 1950’s to the 1970’s in Free Town. Growing up in Jamaica, Burke was always in the kitchen with his mother, thereby developing a love for Jamaican cooking. Burke has worked in the service industry for the last 20 yrs, constantly on a search for ways to share his love for Jamaican cuisine. As an outspoken health addict, his passion is brought to light in Jrk!, offering the cuisine of his homeland with his unique, healthy twist.
Harrison Bernstein, Co-Founder & President
Harrison was always one of those peculiar children who liked spending way too much time in restaurants and hotels. Quite a romantic for the industry, thankfully it evolved into a career. After leaving Miami to attend Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and working in various hospitality related roles, Harrison was finally able to direct that obsessive admiration into a concept of his own. With a kinship to Jamaica from his upbringing and an obsession with design and food, Jrk! is the manifestation of this passion.
Annie Cassius, Head of Brand
Annie is our resident brand expert. Originally from Miami, Annie attended New York University where her love for marketing and branding began. This, in addition to her passion for food and 5+ years of experience building brands, led Annie to develop Jrk! through the lens of art, science, and pure emotion. For her, the magic of developing this brand has been rooted in both heart and soul. In an environment where today's consumers have more choice, knowledge, and power than ever before, there would be no Jrk! without her.
