A 96-year-old chef has captured the hearts of social media users with her delightful videos, attracting millions of views. Aileen Chin, known for her authentic Jamaican recipes and popular catchphrase “mi rahtid!” which translates to “my goodness,” gained online fame thanks to her grandson, Lucas Wong, who started filming her to preserve their family’s culinary heritage.
Their initial video showcased Aileen’s sheer joy at homegrown bananas, but it was their video featuring her preparation of traditional Jamaican beef patties that propelled them to stardom. With a combined following of around three million on 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. “Passing down my cooking knowledge to the next generation brings me immense satisfaction,” expressed the grandma.
Having started cooking at the age of five, Aileen turned her love for cooking into a successful business venture by opening a wholesale bakery in Highgate, Jamaica, with her husband, Aubrey Chin, in the 1950s. Following 58 years of bakery operations, she moved to Miami, Florida, where she currently resides with her daughter and grandchildren.
On her social media platforms, Aileen shares recipes for traditional dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken, stew peas, goat soup, fried fish, and coco bread. Lucas mentioned that their journey began in 2023 with a video of Aileen reacting joyfully to homegrown bananas.
The beef patty recipes became a cornerstone of her fame, with their vibrant flavors encapsulated in a flaky pastry crust. Aileen recommends the dish as an excellent introduction to Jamaican cuisine, often receiving praise from viewers.
Reflecting on her bakery days, Aileen emphasized the deep connection between food and culture, occasionally seeking input from followers on their preferred recipes. Offering advice to aspiring chefs, she stressed the importance of quality ingredients and proper seasoning, encouraging them to cook dishes they truly enjoy.
Aileen collaborates with Lucas on their joint channels, @chinfamilyfromjamaica on YouTube and Zion House on TikTok, while their Instagram handles are @zionhousetv and @chinfamilyfromjamaica_.