Christine Pattinson is the owner of Miss Christine’s Kitchen in Winnipeg, an authentic Jamaican restaurant opening at the end of November. She recently went viral for her “no children under 15-years-old” policy for her restaurant.
A Jamaican restaurant owner located in Winnipeg is opening a new restaurant, serving authentic cuisine in a unique dining way that is receiving mixed reactions from the public. Children under the age of 15 are not allowed to dine-in the restaurant.
Christine Pattison, the owner of Miss Christine’s Kitchen that is opening later this month, went viral after announcing online that her restaurant will not be permitting children under 15-years-old in the establishment.
Growing up in Jamaica and migrating to Canada 37-years-ago, Pattinson has been making home cooked meals for the community in Winnipeg since 2001, before opening up her company.
She told The Brandon Gonez Show that she ran her restaurant alone without a staff for eight years at another location, and during that time children were allowed.
Pattinson explained that there were many times when children would be running around the restaurant and being noisy, causing disturbance to other customers trying to enjoy a nice dine-in experience.
“So I try to explain to the parents that, you know what, my next space I’m having I’m going to create it only for you guys. Please leave your kids at home,” she told The Brandon Gonez Show.
Many are questioning her reasonings for this policy, one local sharing that a brewery she visited in Kamloops recently had areas set up to entertain children and realizes the benefits that type of space has for parents.
“Kid spaces are hard to come by these days, so I’m actively looking for that,” said Ontario resident, Morgan.
Pattinson says her rule even applies to her own family. As a mother of three and grandmother to seven children, she makes it very clear that there will be no exceptions.
“I tell my son this. I tell my daughter this. You’re not bringing the children in here,” Pattison told The Brandon Gonez Show.
Pattison said she has since faced criticism, including accusations of discrimination against children, something that she says is far from the truth.
She shares that she was contacted by the Manitoba Human Rights Tribunal, and they reached out to her after they allegedly received a complaint around her restaurant policy.
“It’s not like you just one Jamaican restaurant in a the city. The other ones accept children, but I don’t accept them here because I want my customers to have some peace and quiet,” she said.
Pattinson emphasizes that there isn’t discrimination on her part, and this rule for her restaurant is purely so that her customers can enjoy a meal in a calm atmosphere.
Despite people who are upset by this, there are many that are all for the idea of a child-free restaurant. Many are showing their support for Pattinson and for her business.
“I think it’s totally fine. Adults should be able to have their places,” Ontario resident, Kyle, told The Brandon Gonez Show. “It’s her restaurant, she should be able to create the rules she wants to create.”
“Totally visiting Winnipeg to eat here,” said a user on her social media post.
Despite the bit of backlash she has faced for her restaurant policy, she is not letting the haters bring her down, and is confident and excited to sell her authentic and delicious Jamaican food.
Miss Christine’s Kitchen will open its doors on November 30 on Ellice Avenue in Winnipeg.
Watch the full interview on The Brandon Gonez Show on Youtube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
