Denis Weekes, a native of Barbados and retired executive chef living in Brooklyn, has a few surprises up his sleeve: he’s a certified scuba diver, a great swimmer, and once used spearfishing to pay his way through college.
He credits his mother with having the greatest influence on his career path.
“My cooking influence came from my mother and grandmother,” he said.
Despite growing up with limited means, Weekes said he had a good childhood. “In my village, people were always kind to each other, sharing what they could when they could.”
Weekes has been a member of the nonprofit organization 500 Men Making a Difference for more than a decade. Founded by Wayne Devonish, the group works to build a strong cultural foundation in Brooklyn that fosters opportunities for children while creating a legacy and future without limits.
As an act of kindness, Weekes — the organization’s official chef — offers cooking classes to young men in the community. For the past two years, he has led the culinary portion of the group’s mentorship program.
Through the mentorship program, other members also share their career experiences—ones that go beyond just sports. Weekes added that this helps show the young men the organization serves that there are other meaningful paths they can follow to make an impact in their communities.
According to Weekes, the organization also hosts a toy drive every Christmas and a school supply drive every September. Members are currently working on renovating an orphanage in Ghana.
Weekes also serves as the official chef for the Brooklyn chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., an organization that supports young people as they prepare for college.
On the impact of his contributions, Weekes said: “These things have shown people that service to the community is important. The work of the organization helps keep young men off the streets. Some of them have become members and have served the community in their own way.”
Growing up, Weekes enjoyed playing cricket and soccer, swimming, diving and spearfishing. These days, his main hobby is fishing.
He said one of his proudest legacies is having mentored a young man while working as an executive chef. That young man is now a culinary instructor.
“He came from nothing and became somebody influential,” he said.
His message to young people is simple: “Never give up.”
To learn more about 500 Men Making a Difference, visit 500menmakingadifference.com.
