By Kinisha O'Neill, Staff Reporter 
Keteis Brissette, Deborah Belcher and Tsehai Scott, three of the four Livity restaurant owners. Missing from the photo is Wendy Chinn. - Carlington Wilmot /Freelance Photographer
KETEIS BRISSETTE, Deborah Belcher, Wendy Chinn and Tsehai Scott are in their late 20s to mid 30s. Collectively, their recent accomplishment has been the opening of Kingston's trendiest vegetarian restaurant, Livity, located on Old Hope Road.
Livity, an idea they flirted with for a while, mirrors their spiritual and social philosophy. As members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, their lifestyle is 'natural'. They do not eat meat or its by-products (although not a must of their faith), they do not wear makeup and they all keep their hair natural.
Family, the adopted, extended and nuclear, is of particular importance to these women. All have children or are preparing for them, and are married -- either officially or in spirit. Their family members either frequent the restaurant or are on staff. The other staff members are from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The women told Flair, " We wanted to create an atmosphere that exudes a warm family-like energy." So people who work at the restaurant are selected because they easily fit into this atmosphere. The owners are also adamant that patrons must feel as if they too are kin of Livity.
TALENT BEYOND THE KITCHEN
Individually, each woman comes to the business with specific talent -- though not necessarily relating to the food business. Chinn is a graphic artist and photographer. Scott is a fine artist who works with textiles. Brisette is a songwriter and lead singer for the Rastareens. Belcher is a photographer and former clothing designer who is planning to make her first film soon. She also works for the national airline, Air Jamaica.
Chinn is also employed full time, which leaves Brisette and Scott to manage the restaurant. Scott admits," For each of us the vigorous pursuit of our individual artistic talents is often put on the backburner." This of course is due to the hectic schedules of juggling their roles as mothers, wives, businesswomen, active members of the church and artists.
Hectic schedules aside, the women of Livity have come together in other creative ways. Their love of music, for example, has given birth to Black Lion Promotions, an endeavour focused on raising money for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and its community of Maxfield Avenue, Kingston. With the support of their spouses, the four have organised several popular shows, including the Garnett Silk Earthday Celebration, to raise money for their cause.
In the meantime, the six month-old Livity restaurant has become a hip spot for diners and for special events. The restaurant hosted back-to-back album launches for popular talents like Luciano (March 11) and Warrior King (March 24). The biggest function at the venue to date was a reading by renowned poet Lisa Chin. They also held the World Poetry Day celebration on March 21st hosted by dub poet Mutabaruka. Films and documentaries are on the agenda for future entertainment nights. The group also plans to have an unplugged night, featuring up and coming musical artistes. They believe that there is a current void of soulful reggae music and want to contribute to its revival, because as they told Flair, " We all have a deep love for music, and we want to help bring back the kind of music that comes from deep within." To emphasise, Scott gleefully explained, " You know the type that sounds like it's coming from your toe."
EARTHY DECOR
The eatery's decor emulates the women's earthy nature. With thatch roofed huts, bamboo fixtures and wood furnishings, the restaurant has a quaint outdoor feel. "We wanted to create a natural environment," said Scott, noting that they all took part in conceptualising the elements of the layout, pulling on the expertise of her mother.
During a recent visit, Flair bumped into one of the many well-known people who have become frequent visitors. Billy Wilmot (CC from the CVM television show Royal Palm Estate) sang the praises of the restaurant, referring to it as "vibes oasis". "It's a place where you can come and interact with artistes and creative people. If you want to rub elbows with the stars, this is the place to be."
Scott said in response: "Well, it's our creative energy that pulls those types of people here. The energy is like a magnet...If you eat at Livity often or not so often, you will see the merit in their claim. The fact is that you are bound to see someone you know from television, the music industry or even government."
The women noted that they put effort into creating this type of atmosphere because they wanted Livity to be a place to accommodate all types of people. Plus, they note, customers are not only Rastafarians or vegetarians. "There is a balanced mix, about 50/50," says Scott, adding that people from different social and religious groups and, many meat eaters, frequent the establishment.
The quartet say that for the future they plan to open a chain of Livity restaurants throughout the island and internationally. Speaking on behalf of the women of Livity, Brissette's final words were: "The future of Livity is great. We are focused on two things- music & food, which are good for the soul and spirit. Our focus will push us forward."
