Onecia Gayle anchors next generation of Jamaican Storytelling with Cream of the Crop

Emerging literary talent Onecia Gayle, widely known as “The Jamaican Pencil Chef,” officially launched her highly anticipated debut novel, Cream of the Crop: The Boy, A Dream and A Jamaican Legend, on Saturday, June 20.

 Backed by corporate partners Worthy Park Estate and hosted at the National Gallery of Jamaica, the landmark event celebrated the arrival of a powerful new voice in modern Jamaican storytelling with a time-travelling adventure centred on the nation’s first Black millionaire, George Stiebel.

The launch represents a massive triumph for Gayle, who spent nearly two years researching, writing, and self-publishing a project that initially began with zero dollars and a clear vision.

Speaking on Worthy Park Estate’s decision to champion the project, Marketing Manager Tamika West emphasised that supporting Gayle was an undeniable choice aligned with the spirit of their own brand, which famously re-entered and staked out its own space in the competitive global rum industry.

“To see her have a dream and bring it all the way to fruition is a reflection of what Worthy Park is about,” West stated. “She is a future storyteller of the next generation of storytellers here in Jamaica. Reading is not a dying art, culture is not a dying art, it is something to be celebrated. Jamaica has such a rich culture to celebrate and to see a young lady pick up at this stage of her life and write such a story that all of us can relate to is such a meaningful experience.”

The event also highlighted a unique multidisciplinary collaboration. While a book launch at an art gallery might seem unusual to some, Senior Director of the National Gallery of Jamaica, Nadine Boothe-Gooden, explained that literature and the visual arts share the exact same calling: capturing the moments, emotions, and truths of the human experience to shape national identity.

“The National Gallery was the perfect fit for her launch because like works of art, books invite us to pause, reflect, and engage in the world through new perspectives,” noted Boothe-Gooden. “Tonight we celebrate not only the publication itself but also the courage and determination required to transform an idea into a tangible contribution to Jamaica’s cultural landscape.”

Addressing the room of gathered supporters, Gayle reflected on the magnitude of the milestone, thanking her family, friends, and corporate sponsors for investing in the power of storytelling.

“Today is a reminder that God can take a simple dream placed in your heart and turn it into something real,” Gayle shared. “Holding my book and seeing all of you gathered here is proof that dreams can come true when faith, hard work, and determination come together. As we celebrate today, I hope this launch serves as a reminder that no dream is too small and no goal is too far away.”

With the successful launch of Cream of the Crop, Gayle hopes her journey will encourage young women to chase ambitious goals despite limited resources. Her long-term vision includes advocating for the novel’s inclusion in the local high school and CXC Literature syllabi, alongside adapting the historical tale into a feature film for global audiences.