Afro-Caribbean Restaurant Dre’s Global Kitchen Opens in Pittsfield Friday

Pictured: Lynch's Sada roti bites with tomato and baigan (eggplant) choka

André Lynch is Vice Provost of Institutional Equity and Belonging at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). He’s also been feeding his Berkshire community some great food—serving plates of jerk chicken, ribs lacquered in spice and smoke, Trinidadian specialties, and soul food at catered events. This weekend he opens Dre’s Global Kitchen in Pittsfield, creating a home for his diverse menu and community work. 

On Friday, February 13 at 5pm, Lynch will open Dre’s Global Kitchen at 137 North Street in Crawford Square, transforming his well-loved catering operation into a brick-and-mortar. In a region where Black-owned restaurants remain scarce, the opening carries cultural as well as culinary weight.

Lynch is a nationally recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion executive consultant, with work that has focused on systems change, belonging, and leadership in higher education. He’s bringing both his recipes and philosophy to Dre’s.

He describes the new restaurant as “a family-owned and operated restaurant rooted in connection, culture, and care. With the tagline ‘Flavors Without Borders,’ Dre’s Global Kitchen is a celebration of global cuisine, storytelling, and the power of food to bring people together.” 

According to Dre’s opening announcement, after years of leading equity, belonging, and inclusion efforts across higher education and nonprofit sectors, Lynch is channeling that same commitment into the culinary world. The restaurant reflects his belief that “food—like equity—creates space for understanding, shared humanity, and belonging.” 

“Much of what I know about care, culture, and community came from watching my mother, Deborah, cook,” Lynch continues. “Her kitchen was a place where people gathered, stories were shared, and love showed up on a plate. Dre’s Global Kitchen is an extension of that legacy.” 

The opening weekend menu starts with Trinidad street food staple called trini doubles, soft flatbread with curried chickpeas, tamarind, cucumber chutney and spices ($10). Or pop some Pholourie balls, golden, fluffy split pea fritters ($12).

Entrees include jerk ($18) and curry ($21) chicken and braised ox tail ($28) and a classic Trinidadian "Fish and Bake" with fresh seasoned fried fish and fried bread topped with veggies ($18).

 Those who have experienced his catering know to expect bold seasoning, layered flavor, and dishes that move confidently between the Caribbean, the American South, and broader diasporic traditions. “Dre’s Global Kitchen is a gathering place where equity lives not only in conversation, but is literally on the menu and at the table,” Lynch writes. 

Dre's will be open Thursdays and Fridays: 11:30am–2:30pm then 5:00pm–10:00PM. Open for dinner Saturdays, 5-10pm.