Since the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 a push by the Ministry of Tourism, along with consulates and ambassadors abroad, has generated excitement about the ongoing efforts to revive and uplift the image of this colorful Caribbean country. Also doing its part in the promotion of Haiti and its colorful gastronomy – an important ingredient in the promotion of tourism – is the Haitian Culinary Alliance (HCA).
Founded by a group of talented Haitian culinary professionals with the goal to promote Haitian gastronomy worldwide, Chairman, President and Co-Founder of the HCA, Stephan Durand, says the mission of the global non-profit is to forge a strong and united network of food service, hospitality and culinary professionals of Haitian decent, while providing networking and educational resources to its affiliates and the next generation of young Haitians. Influenced by French, African, and Spanish cooking methods and ingredients, this collective of chefs, culinary and hospitality professionals is working to introduce the wonderful flavors and variety Haitian cooking, or kréyol cuisine, has to offer.
You cannot call yourself a leader and not have an impact on your community.
The greatest accomplishment one can have, is knowing that you have shared your passion and knowledge with others – Stephan Durand
Through its Haiti Chefs For Education Platform the HCA has donated 50 knife kits to the Haitian Hotel School (Ecole Hoteliere d’Haiti) in Port-au-Prince, which benefited both students and teachers. HCA chefs have also taken part in outreach programs at local schools in the community of North Miami as part of their Cooking With Kids Program – receiving a proclamation from the City of North Miami for their accomplishments.
Since the HCA’s inception, Haiti has been represented at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association “Taste of the Caribbean” competition, scooping an unprecedented 13 medals. Co-founder of the HCA Chef Alain Lemaire has also been working with ROC United, an organization fighting to raise the minimum wage for Hospitality and Culinary Workers. Many Haitians chefs have also cemented their place in the culinary world, including Chef Jouvens Jean who won Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen; while Chef Davidson Destinoble and Chef Alain Lemaire helped co-produce Le Chef in Haiti – the first Haitian Culinary TV show currently being aired in the US.
HCA chefs also have collaborated with Rhythm Foundation, a non-profit group which hosts a cooking day for kids at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami. Haitian chefs at the forefront of the culinary movement, such as Stephan Durand, David Destinoble, Jouvens Jean, and Alain Lemaire, continue to make a great impact on young chefs in Haiti and their outlook on being part of the culinary industry. Stephan Durand says that, while five years ago there was no conversation about Haitian Chefs in Haiti, today the movement is real.
In 2011 the Haitian Culinary Alliance partnered with the city of North Miami and Commissioner Jean Monestime to bring a cultural and gastronomical event to an area known for its large Haitian-American population. Since its creation by Chef Stephan Durand five years ago, the event has helped highlight Haitian chefs and young chefs within the community, in addition to providing a yearly culinary school mentorship program.
As a way to “celebrate good food, great drinks and the outstanding cultural community of Haiti”, the HCA will present its fifth annual Taste of Haiti event on Saturday, May 14 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami, Florida.
Over 12,000 attendees are expected at this special food and music festival, which celebrates the rich flavors of Haitian cuisine by bringing together chefs and owners of Miami’s popular Haitian restaurants and catering businesses specializing in Caribbean food. The family-friendly event is free and open to people of all ages and nationalities who can try specialties like tender tassot de cabrit (fried goat meat) and soup Joumou, a pumpkin- or squash-based soup made with beef, potatoes, vegetables and plantains.
With contestants including Chef Giovanni from Haiti; Chef Pierre of Chef Services LLC: and Chef Tim of the Larue Group, the 4th edition of the Madame Gougousse/Taste of Haiti Chefs Cook-Off with celebrity Chef Judge Ron Duprat from Bravo TV Top Chef and Chef Amadeus, promises to be one to remember. TBS TV personality Chef Irie of Taste of the Island TV series and Irie Spice Catering, and private chef, and celebrity trainer Jacques Laventure of “The Naked Chef” fame will also be in attendance on the demonstration stage.
WHEN: Saturday, May 14 2016
WHERE: MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125th St., North Miami, Florida
TIME: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
You can follow the Haitian Culinary Alliance on Facebook and Twitter. Find out more about the TASTE OF HAITI event by visiting the website, Instragram, Twitter, and Facebook pages for details.
