Fry Dumplings That Bridge Wellness and Love for the Community

Kneaded: L.A. Bread Stories, celebrates L.A. history, heritage, and communities through the lens of bread.

For Marlene Beckford, founder of Ackee Bamboo Jamaican Cuisine, food is love. In a video interview with Marlene, she shares with us the story of how her mother poured love into family meals and how the nostalgia for a home-cooked meal inspired her to open an authentic Jamaican food restaurant in L.A. For Marlene, her food is an outward expression of well-being, communication, and caring for the community—and her fry dumplings are a manifestation of this love for her family and her community. 

To view Marlene's story, click on the link above.

The bread itself is geared towards wellness and love for our community, for our people– it's not just about the issue of our skin color, it is about everyone eating from the same pot.

- Marlene Sinclair Beckford

Explore more from Ackee Bamboo Jamaican Cuisine 

Want to hear more of Marlene's story? We do too! Check out the extended cut of Marlene's interview here.

To see what's cooking at Ackee Bamboo check out ackeebamboo.com or visit them in Leimert Park at 4305 Degnan Blvd. Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90008. 

What's your L.A. bread story? 

Do you know an L.A. breadmaker who lovingly connects to your community? Do you want to share your favorite experience at Ackee Bamboo? Join the conversation by tagging @NHMLA with #KneadedLA, and your story could be featured next!

Following the success of Kneaded: L.A. Bread Stories, we're celebrating the history, heritage, and communities of Los Angeles through the lens of different cultural traditions. This year, L.A. at Play highlights the vibrant and visionary work of artisans who fabricate dolls and figurines using a variety of techniques and materials.