Caribbean Feast, located in Statesboro, Georgia, recently celebrated just over 16 years in business.
Owned by Jocelyn Poole, the business originally began as a restaurant back in 2009, "as a dream shared between myself and my late husband, Noel Wheeler, who was originally from Trinidad & Tobago.”
The restaurant combined Jocelyn and Noel's Caribbean roots and their lifelong passion for cooking. Poole shared, "Noel had always wanted to share the vibrant flavors of the islands with the community, and I was fully on board—thanks to my background in business and a family belief that, alongside education, it’s wise to have something of your own.”
Poole herself is of Jamaican descent, and says that cooking has been a passion of hers since she was about 10 years old. “I love blending Caribbean and Southern flavors to create something unique and comforting.”
Originally from Virginia, Poole was raised in Poolesville, a small rural community close to the James River, northwest of Norfolk. Growing up, Poole was responsible for preparing meals while her mother worked.
She says, “I absolutely loved it. Food is my passion—it’s like putting love on a plate! I enjoy feeding people and seeing their faces light up when they taste my cooking.”
With a rich professional background outside of cooking, including an MBA and a master’s in library science, Poole also serves as the VP and President of the Association of Architecture School Librarians. She previously served as department head at Georgia Southern’s Zach S. Henderson Library and was later promoted to Associate Professor.
During her tenure, a grant enabled her to travel to South Africa to interview librarians about their experiences during apartheid, to speak to a former political prisoner who lived in Nelson Mandela’s house while Nelson was imprisoned, and to interview Black librarians who worked in the Deep South during the segregation era.
Poole says, “These experiences deeply shaped my perspective and remain among my proudest professional accomplishments.”
In 2017, the restaurant’s physical location on Fair Road closed due to Noel’s declining health. Poole says, “After Noel’s passing in 2023, I felt called to continue what we started.”
In 2025, she purchased a food truck “in his honor to carry on his legacy and bring the joy of Caribbean cooking to even more people.”
Caribbean Feast’s menu contains island-inspired dishes including jerk chicken, curry chicken, braised oxtails, and flavorful sides such as plantains, rice & peas, coco bread, and much more.
Poole says she loves cooking all types but especially enjoys preparing the curry dishes. She says her Caribbean style oxtails are very popular as well. They also carry a variety of Caribbean beverages such as ginger beer, kola champagne, and more.
“I think my husband would be so proud of the food truck, especially the personalized license plate and the image of him on the side," says Poole. "He passed away on September 18, 2023, and this food truck is a tribute to him. It has helped me through my grieving process, and it brings me joy to continue his legacy.”
Poole shares, "I am proud to be, to my knowledge, the first Black woman in Statesboro to own a food truck—a personal achievement that means a great deal to me. The love and support from the community have been unbelievable!"
Poole has catered for several of the performers from the Downtown Live series, and she hears they have really enjoyed her food. Soon, Visit Statesboro will also start selling her famous jerk seasoning dry rub.
Poole says that running the food truck would not be possible without Michelle Walker and Dy’Aysia Tribble. “We truly make a great team,” says Poole.
Keep an eye for Caribbean Feast at Downtown Live on August 21 and the Brooklet Peanut Festival in September. Or you can stop by the Statesboro Mainstreet Farmer’s Market any Saturday to get a taste of the Caribbean!
Caribbean Feast serves customers through the Statesboro Farmers’ Market, online ordering, and catering. Check out their menu on the website and give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook. You can also contact Caribbean Feast at caribbeanfeast@gmail.com and 912-763-0267.