Jeanette Marcelle inspires us—And you?

Handmade by Jeanette transforms Trinidad and Tobago’s culinary traditions into sustainable opportunities.

In Trinidad and Tobago’s agri-food landscape, Jeanette Marcelle, also known as Chef Marcelle, stands out as a visionary and dedicated entrepreneur. As the founder and CEO of Handmade by Jeanette, she embodies resilience, innovation, and social impact through her brand, which promotes healthy, sustainable, and locally rooted food products.

From culinary passion to purpose-driven entrepreneurship

Jeanette Marcelle’s journey is anything but conventional. Initially pursuing a career in early childhood education, a part-time job as a waitress in a Thai restaurant ignited her passion for food and diverse flavors. This experience became a pivotal moment—she set aside teaching to fully immerse herself in the culinary world. Over the years, she honed her skills as a traveling chef, blending different culinary traditions to create memorable dishes. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted economies worldwide, Jeanette turned crisis into opportunity. Facing unemployment, she identified a crucial need—reducing Trinidad and Tobago’s reliance on food imports by developing innovative, locally sourced products. In 2020, she founded Handmade by Jeanette, a company that merges artisanal craftsmanship, a commitment to health, and environmental responsibility.

A business committed to well-being and local impact

Handmade by Jeanette stands out for its healthy and natural products, including cocoa nib-infused granola, flavorful sauces, and aromatic spice blends. More than just a brand, the company embodies a philosophy: “You are what you eat.” With 75% of ingredients sourced locally, Handmade by Jeanette actively supports small farmers and promotes the circular economy. Its impact goes beyond sourcing raw materials. The company repurposes by-products—tamarind seeds and coconut shells are given to artisans for jewelry making, pepper seeds are returned to farmers for replanting, and orange peels are transformed into wellness teas. Handmade by Jeanette is not just selling products; it is building a more sustainable and inclusive food ecosystem. Jeanette’s ambitions don’t stop there. She is actively involved in food security discussions and import substitution efforts in the Caribbean while developing an ambitious project: a food bank that will provide healthier food options to underserved families and help farmers manage surplus produce responsibly, reducing food waste while supporting community well-being.

Innovation and international expansion

One of Handmade by Jeanette’s major strengths is its commitment to food innovation. Jeanette continuously experiments with new ingredient combinations, such as blending dried mushrooms with cocoa to create a shelf-stable, flavorful product adapted for international markets.

In just a few years, the company has achieved key milestones:
✔ First official shipments to Saint Lucia and the United States, paving the way for international expansion.
✔ Participation in three major trade missions, fostering strategic partnerships.
✔ Showcasing products at SIAL Paris, one of the world’s largest food innovation expos.

Today, Handmade by Jeanette is experiencing rapid growth, seeking to expand into new foreign markets and obtain additional certifications for the European market.

Overcoming challenges to empower women entrepreneurs

Jeanette Marcelle does not shy away from discussing the challenges of being a woman entrepreneur in a still male-dominated industry. She emphasizes that women often have to work twice as hard for recognition and fair funding opportunities. Yet, rather than being discouraged, she turns obstacles into stepping stones toward greater success. Her message to women entrepreneurs? See every challenge as a gateway to new opportunities.

Her dedication to excellence and quality also led her to participate in COLEAD’s Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, where she received training in hygiene, food safety, and traceability. These skills further strengthen her company’s positioning in global markets.

An inspiring success story

Jeanette Marcelle represents a new generation of agri-food entrepreneurs, where innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility converge to create lasting impact. Her journey is a testament to the power of support and capacity building in accessing markets and financing. COLEAD is proud to support entrepreneurs like Jeanette Marcelle and to share inspiring success stories that demonstrate how sustainable agribusiness can be a powerful driver of economic and social transformation.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.