Chef Scotley Innis: Redefining Jamaican Cuisine for a Global Stage

From the Bronx to Jamaica to Atlanta and back to Brooklyn, Chef Scotley Innis has built an empire that blends bold flavors, refined presentation, and cultural storytelling. As the owner and executive chef behind The Continent Atlanta, Continent Brooklyn, Aliya Cocktail Den + Pool Club, and The Chef’s Cellar—an intimate, invite-only dining series inside Hotel Indigo Williamsburg—Innis has become one of the most dynamic culinary voices of his generation.

Having honed his craft under renowned chefs and on competitive stages like Hell’s Kitchen, Innis now commands a culinary empire where Jamaican heritage meets global technique. His signature dishes—oxtail lo mein, pan-seared sea bass with Guinness fish broth, and Scotch Bonnet Fry Chicken—reflect a fearless approach that honors his roots while pushing boundaries.

A Return Home with Purpose

Born in the Bronx to Jamaican parents, Innis’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen with a plate of “bully beef” and white rice. After studying at Le Cordon Bleu and refining his skills in Atlanta’s top restaurants, he opened The Continent Atlanta, a cigar lounge and restaurant that became a local sensation. With his business partner, Aliya Huey, he has since expanded the brand northward, overseeing the entire food-and-beverage program at Hotel Indigo Williamsburg—including the rooftop cocktail lounge Aliya and Continent Brooklyn, a sophisticated dining destination inspired by African, Asian, and Caribbean influences.  Impact Wealth speaks with Chef Innis about his current projects and what’s next on the horizon beyond NYC.

You’ve brought Jamaican cuisine to Brooklyn with incredible success. What inspired you to expand your restaurant empire back to New York City?

Chef Scotley Innis: My family is from Jamaica—a country known for its beauty, tourism, and hospitality—and I grew up surrounded by those bold flavors. I was born in the Bronx, so New York is home. After years in Atlanta, I realized we were creating something special—food and cocktails that rivaled what I tasted in New York. I wanted to bring that experience back to my city, to our people, and to showcase Jamaican heritage through a refined, global lens.

What are your signature dishes that capture this fusion of cultures?

Chef Innis: The oxtail lo mein is our most famous dish. I created it during the pandemic, combining my love for Asian cuisine with a Jamaican delicacy that you don’t eat every day. My approach is all about infusion—mixing the world’s flavors into my culture. Jamaica is a melting pot of influences: East Asian, Lebanese, German, and Scottish—my great-grandfather was Scottish—so I try to honor that in every plate.

You’ve been called a pioneer of elevating Jamaican cuisine to fine-dining status. What drives you to keep pushing those boundaries?

Chef Innis: There’s a stereotype that Jamaican chefs only make jerk chicken or street food. I want to change that. We use the same ingredients and techniques as any fine-dining kitchen; it’s just about refining presentation, flavors, and technique. My goal is to show that our cuisine belongs on the same level as any Michelin-starred restaurant while staying true to our roots.

What are your essential ingredients—the “holy trinity” of your kitchen?

Chef Innis: My Holy Trinity is Scotch bonnet pepper, green onions (scallions), and fresh thyme. Those three ingredients are in almost 80 percent of my dishes. They bring the heat, freshness, and depth that define Jamaican food.

Your venues in Brooklyn—Aliya and The Chef’s Cellar—feel like experiences rather than just restaurants. How did those concepts come about?

Chef Innis: With Aliya, we wanted to create a rooftop escape that feels like dining in the home of a well-traveled friend—Caribbean-Asian fusion in a setting full of mystery and romance. The Chef’s Cellar takes it even further. It’s an invite-only, ten-seat private dinner inside the hotel’s hidden kitchen. I cook live in front of guests, and every evening tells a story through food, art, music, and emotion. It’s culinary performance at its most intimate.

What’s next for you? Any new projects or expansions on the horizon?

Chef Innis: Absolutely. I’m launching my own line of seasonings so people can bring the flavors from my kitchen into their homes. We’re also planning to expand to more destinations—possibly Manhattan, Miami, or California—and I want to build a hotel restaurant experience where guests can dine, relax, and immerse themselves in Jamaican culture. Eventually, I’ll open something back in Jamaica. That’s where my roots are, and giving back there is personal to me.

What advice would you give aspiring chefs and restaurateurs?

Chef Innis: Have patience. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Success doesn’t come overnight—you need passion, discipline, and a real understanding of the numbers. Cooking is only one part of it. You have to know profit margins, payroll, overhead—all of it. When we opened The Continent, it was from our own savings—no investors. There were tough days, but if you stay consistent and manage your costs, you’ll weather the storms.

You often speak about motivating others. What message do you want young chefs—especially from the Caribbean diaspora—to take from your journey?

Chef Innis: I want them to see that anything is possible. You can take the same ingredients you grew up with and elevate them to a refined, global level. Represent your culture proudly, but don’t be afraid to innovate. I’m living proof that with hard work, faith, and persistence, your heritage can be your greatest strength.

A Culinary Vision with Heart

From his Scotch bonnet-laced creations to his immersive dining concepts, Chef Scotley Innis continues to redefine what it means to be a chef, entrepreneur, and cultural storyteller. His journey—from washing dishes in Atlanta to running multiple restaurants and a hotel’s F&B program in New York—embodies resilience, creativity, and a deep love for the flavors that shaped him.

Whether it’s through a rooftop cocktail at Aliya, a tasting menu at The Chef’s Cellar, or a future resort in Jamaica, one thing is certain: Chef Scotley Innis isn’t just serving food—he’s serving legacy.

https://thecontinentbrooklyn.com/