One of Jamaica’s most celebrated fine dining destinations, Negril’s Rockhouse Restaurant, has announced a major new creative leadership appointment: Kingston-based culinary trailblazers Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau, globally known as the Rousseau Sisters, will step into the role of new culinary directors. The sibling duo, who have built their reputation on centering Jamaican food heritage and cultural storytelling, is set to launch their groundbreaking new culinary program in the first week of June 2026, according to an official press statement from the restaurant.
The upcoming launch will introduce a fully reimagined menu and a refreshed brand identity for Rockhouse Restaurant, one that leans into bold distinctly Caribbean flavors while weaving in subtle Mediterranean influences. Crucially, the reboot will remain faithful to the venue’s iconic rebellious spirit and decades-long legacy that has made it a favorite among locals and international travelers alike.
To mark the new era for the restaurant, a special two-day launch celebration has been scheduled for June 5 and 6, 2026, as a centerpiece of the Rockhouse Foundation’s Coastal Culinary Weekend hosted at Rockhouse Hotel within Skylark Negril Beach Resort. The immersive weekend event will bring together a star-studded lineup of Caribbean culinary talent beyond the Rousseau Sisters, including Andre Fowles, Miss Lily’s culinary director and published cookbook author, and India Doris, recipient of the MICHELIN Young Chef Award. Attendees will enjoy a curated schedule of exclusive dinner parties, guided tours of local food and cultural sites, and intimate panel conversations that shine a spotlight on the depth and diversity of Jamaican cuisine and cultural heritage.
In a move that honors the venue’s existing talent, the Rousseau Sisters will not be replacing the current kitchen leadership. They will partner closely with Rockhouse Restaurant’s beloved executive chef Jermaine “Bagga” Forrester and his entire longstanding culinary team to bring the new vision to life.
For years, the Rousseau Sisters have been recognized as leading voices in preserving Jamaica’s culinary stories and cultural traditions through their work with the island’s foodways and historic hospitality venues. They have cemented their status as leading authorities on Caribbean cuisine and heritage, having launched fan-favorite dining concepts including Two Sisters Jamaica and the now-closed Summerhouse, both located in the scenic parish of St Ann.
Per the official release, their collaborative partnership with Forrester and his team will leverage the Sisters’ signature culinary style: elevated yet accessible to all diners. They will center the core elements that have defined Jamaican cooking for generations — warm complex spices, signature smoked flavors, and fresh locally sourced ingredients — while reinterpreting these staples through creative new techniques and unexpected combinations that promise to excite both returning guests and first-time visitors.