A 96-year-old chef has become a sensation on social media, captivating millions with her heartwarming videos. Aileen Chin, renowned for her traditional Jamaican recipes and viral cooking demonstrations, has won the hearts of viewers with her catchphrase “mi rahtid!” – a Jamaican expression meaning “my goodness.” Her grandson, Lucas Wong, initially started filming her to preserve family recipes, and their content quickly gained popularity.
One of their earliest videos showed Aileen’s delight at using homegrown bananas from Lucas’s garden. However, their breakthrough came with a video showcasing Aileen preparing authentic Jamaican beef patties, showcasing her decades of culinary expertise. With a massive following of around three million fans on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Aileen holds a Guinness World Records title.
In March, at 96 years and 89 days old, Aileen was officially recognized as the oldest living female food/cooking YouTuber by Guinness World Records. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed joy in passing down her cooking knowledge to the next generation and witnessing people enjoy her family recipes. Aileen’s culinary journey began at the age of five, eventually leading her to co-own a bakery in Highgate, Jamaica, with her husband, Aubrey Chin, in the 1950s.
After running the bakery for 58 years until its closure in 2008, Aileen moved to Miami, Florida, where she currently resides with her daughter and grandchildren. Through her social media channels, she shares her expertise in preparing traditional dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken, stew peas, goat soup, fried fish, and coco bread. Lucas mentioned that while their first video was in 2023, it was Aileen’s beef patty recipes that propelled her to fame, introducing viewers to the flavors of Jamaican cuisine.
Aileen emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients and proper seasoning, advising chefs to cook what they love to eat. Together with Lucas, she creates content for their joint channels on YouTube (@chinfamilyfromjamaica) and TikTok (Zion House). Their Instagram accounts are @zionhousetv and @chinfamilyfromjamaica_. Aileen values food as a medium to connect with culture and often lets their followers choose the next recipes to feature, showcasing her dedication to engaging with her online community.