Our Story

It feels like yesterday that Father Marek Bzinkowski got the call to be a priest in Jamaica.  

As he sat there in Ukraine, across the border from his hometown and birthplace in Poland, Father Marek was moved to share his passion of uplifting the lives of people via his priesthood much beyond the shores of his home.

Under the direction of the Bishop of the Diocese of Jamaica he was appointed to my hometown of Maggotty, in the southern parish of St.Elizabeth.

I was just a girl, 13 years old, when Father Marek and Father Andrew, two Polish Priests landed at our door step.

My parents Lucille and Patrick Lee at the time had just completed the build out of their eco-friendly Park called Apple Valley Park.  It brought such a magnetic energy to our community of Maggotty, that not only the locals, but also international visitors came to visit our park.  

It was only natural for my parents to donate land to the Catholic Church.  Already at 13, I would follow my mother to different infirmaries in our parish every other Sunday to feed and spend time with the elders there.  I would also witness my mother going to every denomination of church in our parish, although my family was catholic, just to share with the community.  At nine, I read the Beatitudes from the bible to a large Pentecostal congregation, I would also lead a local youth group, performing bible stories at various churches.  I would attend a catholic school, live at the Convent and even serve on the alter at my local church and others around.  

My parents shared the passion of wanting to uplift the lives of others, and the collaboration with the Catholic Church would bring free healthcare care and basic education to our community of Maggotty.  

I spent my days as a teenager volunteering at the clinic and basic school that Father Marek and the Church built; whilst, earning pocket money by my parent’s park being a tour guide.

Meanwhile, on slow days Father Marek would often experiment in our park’s kitchen smoking his grandmother’s sausage recipe.

As a child the smell, and taste of this divine sausage was truly a slice of heaven.  

My path took me on twenty years within the food and beverage industry, with a range of roles.  From leading a bakery business for almost two decades on Maxfield Avenue, to being the Jamaica Boss Lady of the year 2018 and being mentored by the island’s best food and beverage manufacturing titans.  

My calling became clearer, sharing this slice of heaven with a priest’s blessing - introducing Apple Valley Meats.