Downtown South Bend hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 6 for Island Fusion, a new Caribbean restaurant.

Island Fusion blends Jamaican and Trinidadian cuisine. The restaurant features homemade soups, salads and entrees that pay homage to Jamaican and Trinidadian culinary traditions. The menu includes dishes such as fiery jerk chicken, pelau (a rice dish) and barra (fried flatbreads). They also offer fry bake – a fluffy flour-based creation served with salt fish and steamed vegetables.

Restaurant owners Lorna and Kerwin Huggins are from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Both developed a passion for cooking early in life. They crafted meals for family gatherings, hosted friends and contributed to community events. People encouraged the pair to open a restaurant. The duo envisioned Island Fusion, a restaurant that draws from their culinary backgrounds.

Island Fusion is inside the Emporium Building at 121 S. Niles Ave. in South Bend. The restaurant serves Sunday dinners of island favorites from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. It is also open for soup and salad Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and street food Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Emporium Building, on the St. Joseph River, was the longtime home of the Emporium Restaurant. Now the building houses multiple small restaurants in addition to Island Fusion. The building is within walking distance of downtown South Bend.