THERESA ROBERTS didn’t realise in 2013 that her Jamaican patty business, ‘Jamaica Patty Co’ would be so successful.  It turns out though, that the family recipe passed down by her father was so good that demands meant that two operations would be required.  Covent Garden was the first, but Roberts now has two thriving outlets; one in Covent Garden and one also in Liverpool Street, two of the busiest areas in London which must surely be a testament to their popularity.

“I knew I wanted to use my dad’s recipe” Theresa tells me, “But little did I know it was going to be described as offering the best patties in the world, and it’s Jamaicans that tell me that and gave me an award for that”

Theresa tells me that the queue is non-ending at Liverpool Street in particular, and that now they have gained a global reputation for delicious patty excellence.

“We get a lot of French and Caribbean, French Africans come over on the EuroStar,to buy our food and take it back to Paris”.

That’s a big testament and also a great endorsement for the quality of the Patties. The thriving business is also a go-to for UK Carnival organisers who stock up and buy Theresa’s patties in preparation for the festivities.  Reputation is everything in business and Theresa Roberts patties have gained recognition, it seems from all over the world.

There’s another twist to the business zeal of Theresa Roberts too.  I ask her if she caught any of the recent Windrush Day celebrations and she mentions that Basil Watson, whose incredible sculpture was unveiled at Waterloo Station, is a personal friend of hers.

“I’m part of the Windrush generation and I love what the sculpture means to all of us.”

As well as being a friend of Basil Watson, Theresa collects art and recently showcased a very special collection of Jamaican works at the Victoria museum in Liverpool.  In fact, it’s the first exclusively Jamaican collection presented in the North West of England and features representations of the none other than the Waston family dynasty including Basil himself, his father Barrington, sibling Raymond and Basil’s son Kai.  The project was also a tremendous hit receiving great feedback and Theresa now has plans for the showcase to be unveiled in London too.

“It’s been a very successful exhibition and very meaningful, with both the present and previous Prime Ministers of Jamaica praising the works.  Jamaica is very proud because these are Jamaican artists and Basil Watson opened the exhibition with me”.

Theresa has more plans for further exhibitions in the future and is determined to keep letting the world see all of the artistic wonders that Jamaica clearly has to offer.

“I know of the talent we Jamaicans have” she says matter of factly.  Who would argue?  Theresa Roberts’ drive for success and commitment in sharing Jamaica’s awesome gifts with the world, delicious food and incredible art,  is also itself the very proof of her words.