American dream becomes reality for Caribbean trio with Got Jerk! original sauces

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Nov. 14, 2023 - PRLog -- Kenny Henny appreciated the opportunity America offered him: the ability to provide for his family. He was happy to do it, but one thing was missing when he landed in Harrisburg, PA. A native Jamaican with a natural relaxed demeanor, Henny's excitement turns up when speaking about his homeland – especially the food.

"The natural spices offered in the Caribbean are unlike anywhere else in the world," he says. "If I was going to be happy in America, I knew I had to bring the Caribbean to Harrisburg."

That he did. Soon word spread through the Allison Hill section, with folks coming from all points Harrisburg to experience the authentic 'special jerk' sauce and flavors Henny became known for. He soon established Got Jerk! LLC, a Pennsylvania-based company which boasted a flavorful Caribbean-inspired jerk sauce, at that time, one of few truly authentic jerk sauces on the market.

Henny knew he had a hit product; however, he was a chef, not an entrepreneur. And while his dishes were selling modestly, it wasn't quite the windfall he had hoped for. That's when Ben Anderson and Ray Dixon, two Central PA businessmen (both also of Caribbean descent) were excited to smell and taste the flavors from back home. It wasn't long before they realized they had a natural partnering in the works. Soon Got Jerk! (the sauce) became Got Jerk! "sauces," a fully operational manufacturing plant now offering a variety of flavors.

In addition to the new sauces (available online at gotjerksauces.com), the trio will soon open Got Jerk! Grill & Juice Bar, a restaurant in the midtown section of Harrisburg, PA that will offer Caribbean and American cuisine while featuring the bold, rich flavors of their Got Jerk! sauces.

"We're very proud to have this opportunity," says Anderson. "It's an honor to bring our flavors from home to the masses here in Central PA."

Dixon says, "Our heritage is connected to our foods and rich flavors from the Caribbean, so we consider it a privilege to share our culture with others."

"Besides that," says Henny, "this is the land of opportunity, I was told. I believe it."