Chef Scotley Innis: From the Bronx to Redefining Caribbean Fine Dining

From a Bronx kitchen to the world stage: Chef Scotley Innis is the Le Cordon Bleu-trained culinary visionary behind Continent Restaurant & Cigar Lounge in Atlanta, Continent Brooklyn at Hotel Indigo Williamsburg, the Caribbean–Asian fusion bar Aliya Cocktail Den, and the acclaimed pop-up concept Scotch Yard.

Chef Scotley Innis is a bold architect of flavor, blending his Jamaican roots with global influences to create dishes that are as soulful as they are innovative.

This year, Chef Scotley Innis is being honored with the Resilience Award at the 2025 JoyTutor Celebrations of Courage Awards. Known for his ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing culinary landscape, Chef Scotley has turned years of dedication—often behind the scenes—into a public celebration of culture, community, and culinary excellence.

Chef Scotley Innis – Resilience Award Honoree

From Humble Beginnings to Culinary Excellence

Raised between New York City and Jamaica, Chef Scotley’s passion for cooking began at the age of twelve, inspired by his grandmother’s “bully beef” and white rice. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta, he sharpened his skills in some of the city’s most celebrated kitchens—Marriott Marquis, Au Pied de Cochon, Tom Colicchio’s Craftbar, South City Kitchen, Ormsby’s, and as Executive Chef at 5Church Midtown. His curiosity led him to train abroad at world-renowned restaurants, including Central in Lima, Peru (#5 in the world) and Alex Atala’s D.O.M in São Paulo, Brazil.

A Bold Leap Into the Spotlight

In 2018, Chef Scotley became a household name as a finalist on Hell’s Kitchen (Season 18), later showcasing his creativity on Chopped, Late Night Eats, and The Tamron Hall Show, where he presented his signature lamb pot pie for a national audience. His menus—featuring jerk ribeye, oxtail ramen, chargrilled oysters with duck bacon, and scotch bonnet beurre blanc salmon with callaloo gnocchi—seamlessly unite Caribbean, African, Asian, and Southern flavors, challenging and redefining modern fine dining.

Championing Culture on the Big Stage

In 2025, Chef Scotley brought his artistry to the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, leading panels on time-saving flavorful recipes and the rich traditions of the African diaspora, while demonstrating crowd favorites like oxtail lo mein. His presence at the NYC Wine & Food Festival and features in outlets such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jezebel, and Level further cement his role as a cultural ambassador for Caribbean cuisine.

Honoring Chef Scotley’s Resilience

Resilience best captures his journey:

• Overcame years of underappreciated labor in Atlanta kitchens before carving his own path.

• Embraced learning from global culinary masters and translated that into successful, culturally rich restaurant ventures.

• Adapted to new platforms—from pop-ups and ghost kitchens to brick-and-mortar establishments—and elevated Caribbean and fusion cuisine into mainstream fine dining.

• Maintained momentum through media appearances—from Hell’s Kitchen to Tamron Hall—and festival recognition with NYCWFF and ESSENCE Festival.

  
  

At this year’s JoyTutor Celebrations of Courage Awards, we are proud to honor Chef Scotley Innis for his unwavering dedication to his craft, his cultural pride, and his unshakable ability to rise, reinvent, and inspire through every season of his journey.