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The inspirational story behind one of Birmingham’s newest restaurantsCaribbean & Cocktails opened in December, aiming to provide Birmingham with a taste of authentic food from the
areaCommentsWhat's OnRobson McCallister What's on reporter, Birmingham Live05:00, 04 Jan 2025Caribbean & Cocktails is one of Birmingham's newest restaurants(Image: Caribbean & Cocktails )
Six years ago, Ricardo Blake was involved in a car accident which resulted in his feet being amputated. After 18 operations and 12 blood transfusions, Ricardo has been in a wheelchair for
the past five years.
The restaurant owner was operated on 37 times, including operations which cut out sections of his knee and leg to provide him with new ankles. With a new pelvis, new hip and successful ankle
surgery, Ricardo can walk again for the first time in years and describes himself as 'blessed'.
Ricardo's new restaurant, Caribbean & Cocktails, launched on John Bright Street in December, directly opposite chain Turtle Bay. Speaking to BirminghamLive, Ricardo spoke about adversity,
childhood and why he is blessed.
Read More: New 'authentic' Birmingham restaurant opens opposite possible rival Turtle Bay
He said: “I’m blessed because I died three times in the ambulance. I was resuscitated and blessed three times.
“I didn’t come out of my coma for seven days and in hospital for nine weeks. From what I’ve been through and walking now, I know I’m blessed.
Article continues belowCaribbean & Cocktails owner Ricardo Blake(Image: Ricardo Blake ) “When you’re disabled, you have no one able to help you when you’re shopping. You can’t pick up the
shelves, it was terrible.
“But I’ve opened a new restaurant with a new lease on life. My aim is diversity, I need to show other ethnic minorities what this Caribbean food tastes like."
As well as being a cook, Ricardo has toured as a DJ worldwide under his alias Ricky Tru. During this time, Ricardo managed Mr Shrimps, a Jamaican takeaway in Rotton Park but is closing
that down as part of the move to John Bright Street.
Both of Ricardo’s parents are Jamaican but they did not raise him. When his mother went to prison when he was six months old, Ricardo spent his childhood in several foster homes and was
never formally adopted.
Speaking about his upbringing: Ricardo said: “It shaped me into wanting more than what people around me had growing up. It was heartbreaking,
Caribbean & Cocktails bar area (Image: Caribbean & Cocktails ) “I never had a Christmas. When it was Christmas time, I didn’t even know where I would be sleeping, I didn’t know which home I
would be staying in today.
“I never had a birthday and received presents.”
Article continues below Ricardo has since reconnected with his parents and met them after he turned 16. Now a father himself and with his fiancee helping to run Caribbean & Cocktails,
Ricardo spoke about his relationship with his children.
He said: “I don’t think I’m a father, I think I’m a dad. There are loads of fathers out there but a dad is someone that takes their kids to school. A dad is someone who takes their kids to
nursery and I drop my daughter off at school every morning.
"I’m a real, hands-on dad."