Character Q&A: Serenity Payne

We’re at Bellyful, the Rose Hill, NY location that started it all. The scent of jerk chicken, warm patties, and spices fills the air. The exposed brick wall gives the Caribbean-African fusion bistro its signature rustic charm, while the open kitchen hums with life. From the register, you can see the cooks at work, calling orders over the sizzle of pans as waitstaff weave between tables. The name Bellyful is written in white script across the front window, catching the sunlight from the busy street outside.

It’s the weekend—one of the restaurant’s busiest times—and Serenity Payne, owner and head chef, is right in the thick of it. She’s behind the counter, hands dusted in flour, rolling dough for patties while directing her team with practiced ease. Every so often, she glances toward the front to check the flow of customers before returning to our conversation.

“The weekends are our busiest,” she says with a laugh. “Here in Rose Hill and in Hoboken, out there in Jersey. Trey’s there now. We hardly speak on weekends when we’re at the restaurants, which makes the meet-up later always fun.”

It’s loud, the kind of organized chaos that comes with success. Between the clatter of plates and the rhythm of her rolling pin, Serenity still manages to share pieces of her story.