WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST?
Pancakes are my absolute favorite thing to eat for breakfast when I have time! But most mornings If I’m in a rush, a couple boiled eggs and avocado will do!
IS THERE A CHILDHOOD COMFORT FOOD THAT YOU THINK ABOUT?
My family is from Haiti so a lot of my early food memories are centered around Haitian food. The most famous dish Haiti is known for is Griot, a twice cooked pork dish served alongside fried plantains and a spicy slaw called Pikliz! That’s my absolute favorite!
WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE THAT YOU DON’T POSSESS?
I wish I could draw! I can barely make a stick figure and I love art so being able to draw portraits would really make me happy!
WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DO BEFORE YOU STARTED COOKING?
I actually wanted to be a college professor! I have a degree in African American Studies and wanted to pursue my masters but it became too costly so I started cooking to pay bills.
OF ALL THE FRENCH PASTRIES, WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE TO MAKE?
I really love making madeleines! It’s such a fun pastry that isn’t as difficult as some of the other ones and it’s really delicious! Definitely one of my favorite desserts!
IS THERE ONE FOOD THAT YOU’RE SECRETLY OBSESSED WITH HAVING AT HOME?
I’m obsessed with french fries! All types! That’s my absolute favorite thing to eat!
IS THERE A FOOD THAT YOU DISLIKE?
I don’t like raw Gulf Oysters!
IF YOU COULD FIND OUT ANYONE’S SECRET RECIPE, WHOSE AND WHAT WOULD IT BE?
That’s a tough question! It used to be my husband, Chef Omar Tate’s oyster stew recipe, but once we got married he gave it to me so actually there isn’t anyone else’s recipe that I want at the moment.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MEAL AND WHY?
My most memorable meal was on the beach in Jacmel, Haiti where we sat on plastic lawn chairs and ate fresh caught Lobster and Conch that were grilled right there on the beach! Young men also walked around with machetes to cut open coconuts for us to drink! It was magical!
WHAT MENTORS HELPED YOU ALONG YOUR JOURNEY OF BECOMING A CHEF?
I unfortunately haven’t had too many mentors throughout my career. If I did have to choose, my mom has always been a great resource and mentor not only in cooking but in life as well!
THROUGHOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, HAVE YOU NOTICED A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KITCHENS THAT ARE RUN BY MEN VS. KITCHENS THAT ARE RUN BY WOMEN? IF SO, WHAT WAS THIS DIFFERENCE, AND HOW DID IT IMPACT THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT WHILST PREPARING FOOD?
In my opinion, kitchens run by women are usually more ideal working conditions. In my experience women are less likely to entertain a toxic culture and unhealthy work environment.
IT IS REALLY SAD TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING GLOBALLY. YOUNG ASPIRING CHEFS ARE LOOKING TO THEIR HERO’S HOW TO TURN PAIN INTO CREATIVITY. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO TURN THIS DIFFICULT TIME INTO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE?
I think that the best advice I can give for young chefs is to really take the time to read, research and fall in love with themselves and understand how that relates to food and their creativity. Knowing yourself is the best tool you have in your knife roll! Understanding your limitations, possibilities and goals can really help to propel you forward in your career.
WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE AND ONE NEGATIVE EFFECT COVID-19 HAS HAD ON YOUR LOVE FOR MAKING FOOD?
Covid has really given me the opportunity to reign everything in and to be more intentional and considerate about the work I’m doing. COVID has taught us not to take things for granted and slowly down really allows for all that to take place.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN SPENDING YOUR TIME RECENTLY, HAVE YOU HAD TIME TO CREATE NEW RECIPES?
I just recently had a baby and my husband and I are opening up a cafe/grocery store, so I’ve been spending a lot of my time preparing to open and learning the new role and identity of motherhood which unfortunately doesn’t leave me with a lot of time or energy to create new recipes. I look forward to getting back into that space as the baby gets older and the store opens up!
Co-founder & Chief Operations Officer
Honeysuckle Projects LLC
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www.honeysuckleprovisions.com
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