Meet Quacy And Shenella | Owners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Quacy And Shenella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Quacy and Shenella, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The idea for our Caribbean food truck Gift of Taste Kitchen, was born from a deep love for our culture, our food, and our community. We wanted to create something that not only brought authentic Guyanese and South American flavors to the streets but also celebrated the richness of our heritage.

Starting our food truck was more than a business idea, it was a calling from the heart. We grew up surrounded by rich flavors, spices, and stories of Guyanese and Caribbean cooking. It wasn’t just food to us; it was a connection to home, to our roots, and to the people who raised us.

Beyond the food, we also wanted our truck to reflect the spirit of Guyanese Cuisine and Culture—the music, the energy, the warmth, and the hospitality. Our truck is beautifully wrapped in vibrant colors inspired by the Guyana Flag – a tribute to our roots and a symbol of our pride. The Golden Arrowhead represents a bright future, strength, and determination – values that fuel everything we do. From the bold design (which was hand drawn by our Nephew Jeremiah Ellington) to the bold flavors, our truck tells a story of heritage, culture, and Caribbean spirit. But most importantly, we wanted to use our platform to give back, whether it’s feeding the less fortunate, supporting local events, or just making someone’s day a little brighter with a hot plate of comfort food.

Our food truck isn’t just a business—it’s a mission, a passion, and a tribute to our roots.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Quacy’s fulltime job as a Culinary Director in a nursing home has been both rewarding and deeply meaningful. It’s a role that goes far beyond managing a kitchen—it’s about nourishing lives, creating comfort, and bringing a sense of dignity and joy to the residents through food. Quacy started in the culinary field with a love for cooking and hospitality, but working in long-term care taught him that food is not just about nutrition—it’s about connection. In a nursing home, meals are often the highlight of the day, a time when residents gather, share stories, and enjoy familiar flavors that bring back cherished memories. Quacy’s love and passion for food is also shared with his love and passion for mixing music. Being an experienced and professional DJ, and a lover of island vibes, his music is an essential part of the Gift of Taste food truck experience.

Shenella’s fulltime job in Human Resources Management in a nursing home has been deeply rooted in service, empathy, and leadership. In this role, she has had the privilege of supporting the people who care for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

It is our love and empathy for others, for community, for food that made us start our food truck venture. This has always been Quacy’s dream to own his own food truck and Shenella was there to back him 1000%. We also stand out because of the values we bring from our healthcare background – compassion, consistency and care.

We are incredibly proud of our immigrant background and how far we’ve come. From little kids playing in the village of Soesdyke, to Quacy moving to the Netherlands for 12 years, our journey has been one of resilience, discovery, and love. We met in 2004 in Guyana, got married in 2008, and our love has continued to grow. The path hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been filled with gratitude, strength, and purpose. It is that deep love that drives us everyday to make a difference in the world, and we hope to do that with Gift of Taste Kitchen.

We’re especially excited to create a space where people can experience something different – something bold, flavorful, and made with pride. From our signature seasonings to the warmth of our customer service, everything we do is a reflection of who we are. What started as a dream is now a thriving food truck – a place where we can share the flavors of home with the world. And now, seeing people enjoy our food and come back for more… that’s what makes it all worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We love food and music so we are always trying to find a good spot that offers those, especially Caribbean. We like to try various cuisines, so we don’t have any one particular place in mind. We mostly enjoy cooking and making memories with our family and friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We want to give a huge shoutout to our family, especially our parents. Their strength, values, and traditions laid the foundation for our Caribbean food truck. They are the heart behind every dish we serve, their love, resilience, and stories from back home in Guyana are the foundation of everything we do. A special thank you to Doug Dohner and the Dohner Family Foundation and Shawn and Jandris Jeffers (owners of the Caribbean Cajun food truck) for offering guidance and support during the early stages when we needed direction the most. Their mentorship gave us the confidence to move forward. We also want to recognize our closest family and friends that embraced our vision and encouraged us from day one. And lastly, to every person who shared a word of advice, helped during our startup phase, or simply believed in our dream—you are all part of this journey. Thank you for being our inspiration and our support.

Website: https://www.giftoftastekitchen.com

Instagram: www.instagram..com/giftoftastekitchen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giftoftastekitchen