For Grenadian Independence, Complexd magazine will be celebrating by interviewing talented, driven and inspiring young women of Grenadian heritage.
Image by Joshua Yetman
Name: Cherrie Jones
Age: 27
Occupation: Chef de Parti at the University Club of the St.George’s University, Grenada/ Student at George Brown Toronto
Place of birth: Grenada
Current residence: Toronto Canada
My mother and father are both Grenadian with a hint of Venezuelan. I grew up in a very large family with little resources which made life difficult at times, but those experiences contributed to my drive and ambition. My mother always told me to look my best no matter what’s happening at home.
photos courtesy Andrew Richards and Daniel Bissessar
I love fashion, music and dance, but food is the medium that I use to express my creativity. I believe my passion for food grew out of having to cook frequently for my brother and sister when I was younger. I love transforming ingredients into tasty dishes, but I also love the art of presenting them on the plate. Food has so many tastes, colours, textures and patterns and inventing new ways to combine these things really excites me.
I am currently studying Culinary Management in Toronto. I wanted to develop my skills by learning about the business side of my profession. The educational system in Canada makes it fairly easy to adapt because the schools onus is on the progress of students and I have always had a strong work ethic. I am not afraid to admit that I cried on my first day because I was so overwhelmed and homesick and Canadian culture and lifestyle has proven to be a bit more difficult than I thought. The pace is so much faster and it’s lacking the sense of community that I am used to in Grenada. I miss the comfort and familiarity of home, our beautiful beaches, fresh food, the sunshine and most of all the easiness of island life. But I am here to achieve my goals so I will continue to persevere!
In 2011 I won the title of Miss St Georges, Grenada and Miss Carnival Queen.
Some countries are extremely passionate about pageants, but its level of importance in Grenada is still very low. As a result there wasn’t a set role for the two titles I won so I decided to create my own duties and use them to make a difference.
As a small island I believe there should be Grenadian role models for the youth so they don’t just look to personalities in the international media. We need to inspire the youth of Grenada and steer them in the right path by being more proactive. This is why my most memorable speech was returning to my old school on careers day and having the chance to inspire young students. Being back in the classroom speaking to a room filled with young people hungry for a sense of direction was a great experience!
I got the opportunity to work with The Ministry of Youth Empowerment and take part in The National Youth Awards. I had the pleasure of handing over the scholarship I won with my title to a lovely young student named Denee Toussaint.
I felt truly at home while working with the senior citizens of Grenada and I had the opportunity to meet a great deal of people who are not always recognised, but work very hard in their community.
I am Complexd because I am very driven, strong and grounded. I never wait for opportunities; I find them and grasp them even if it means knocking on a million doors. There are so many things I want to be, a Fashion Designer/Stylist, Chef, Musician, Dancer, Motivational Speaker. The list is endless. My inability to accept limits or defeat makes me complexd.
Watch Cherrie’s live interview on DayBreak Grenada
CHERRIE JONES,HMMMMMMMMMM! WHAT CAN I SAY? BEAUTIFUL,INTELLIGENT,DRIVEN…WILL SUCCEED IN LIFE AT ANYTHING SHE PUTS HER MIND TO,THAT IS HOW DETERMINED SHE IS….WE MISS U SIS..
Cherrie is amazing and I wish her all the best with all her great endeavours!! luv u!!!
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! The pictures are so Beautiful. Great Job babe, keep up the good work and stay strong. Missssss You! 🙁
Very inspiring, a true role model. Much love!!!
Proud of you Cherrie, a woman with a purpose, a woman of depth! Push on!
Cheri Jones is truly a role model. First and foremost she is a Woman.
Woman: Capital W, bold and underlined if I could.
She identifies what makes her unique without forgetting what binds us all together. She is humble yet determined; moreover she possesses a fire of passion for what she believes in. To her friends this is motivation, to others it is inspiration.
Cheri’s beauty does not lie on the surface; it is emitted from within. It is a very real glow that blossoms with every fluctuation of life through understanding the ‘experience’ of life.
She is the very reflection of a woman whose appreciation for life is shown in her charitable acts from the heart.
She is utterly deserving of a crown, though she wears one every day in her aura alone. I am proud to recognise Cheri as my good friend.
I truly love this…what can i say! keep reaching for the stars I know you’ll make it soon hun..love u n take care of yourself out there!
Cherrie, you are the personification of hard work and a compassionate soul. Very lovely article! You are a role model for many that, perseverance along with the mindset to succeed will yield great fruitage at the end of a journey. Thank you for being an inspiration to others!!! Continue the great and hard work that you do. May success continue to be yours!!!!! We love you.
I leave you with this Quote: Achievement is not always success while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.-Orison Swett Marden
I can identify totally. When I was younger I would write a list of things I wanted to do, paiting, designing, music,singing, poetry, novels, modeling the list went on. I later realized that I could not do everything at once and it bothered me that the days were soo short and finances were limited. As life unfolds I realized again that at some point we get them done. It can be short periods whose memories lives on since we are not able to do them all at once, but we get to and then we sor of move on to another thing. The ones we are not able to accomplish we learn to appreciate and support the people who do it. So here’s to my support,to a bright and successful future. I am glad out paths crossed and I was able to meet you.
Tricia
REALLY NICE KEEP THE DREAMS GOING…
Following your dreams, priceless.
Cherrie, all the best in your endeavours! May God bless you and keep you strong. Blessings!
Thanks guys, this means alot to me.. Missing Grenada like crazy..But your Kind words keeps me strong and help me a great deal throughout the day. xxxxxxx cher