My name is Christine, I am a mother of two and the founder of YARDIES. I have Jamaican roots. My family comes from a small village in Westmoreland. I was born and raised in a small town in the Ruhr area (North Rhine-Westphalia).
Why I founded yardies.de
Growing up between two cultures means constantly noticing what's missing, what goes unseen, and what actually deserves more space. That's precisely how YARDIES came about.
My goal was clear from the beginning:
I wanted everyone in Germany to know what jerk is. Not as a trend. Not as a superficial peculiarity. But as what it is: an integral part of Jamaican food culture with a long history.
How it all began
Whenever I flew back from the UK or Jamaica, my suitcase was always full of Jamaican food. So full, in fact, that I regularly had to pay for excess baggage or leave things behind at the airport that I actually wanted to take with me.
At some point I asked myself why this actually has to be so complicated.
That's why in 2021 I had my own jerk marinade and jerk sauce produced. I wanted to create a product that was missing here. One that makes Jamaican culture visible and takes it seriously. One that doesn't need explaining, but is simply known.
From jerk product to import business
My first imported products were ackee and callaloo. Foods that are commonplace for many people with Jamaican roots, but were hardly available in Germany.
It soon became clear that these products wouldn't be the only ones offered. Customers actively asked for more Jamaican food products—products they grew up with, brands they knew from Jamaica.
I started researching, making contacts, and finding ways to reliably bring these products to Europe. Step by step, a single jerk marinade evolved into an import business.
That's how Yardies grew.
What YARDIES stands for
YARDIES stands for authentic Jamaican products, genuine choice and availability in Europe.
Professionalism and respect are particularly important to me. Respect for the culture, for the origin of the products, and for the people for whom these foods are more than just sustenance.
For me, this includes not only the content but also how it's presented. I place great value on aesthetics, high-quality product presentation, and a shopping experience that meets the demands of modern e-commerce standards. yardies.de isn't a hobby import shop; it's professionally run, constantly growing, and always striving to improve and showcase Jamaican products the way they deserve.
Who is YARDIES for?
yardies.de is a little piece of Jamaica in the middle of Europe, for people with Jamaican roots and for everyone who feels a close connection to Jamaica through family, music or travel.
It's for everyone who knows Jamaica from more than just the beach, who knows what ackee or a real Red Stripe beer should taste like, what seasoning they're looking for, and what Jamaican food feels like.
I invite you to discover authentic Jamaican cuisine and explore products that are far more than just imitation spices or "Caribbean-style" variations. At yardies.de you'll find everything that is authentic, high-quality, and selected with respect for the culture.