Celebrating Haitian Cuisine at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival
For the first time, Fonkoze USA joined the vibrant culinary community at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, spending the weekend celebrating Haitian cuisine and supporting two talented Haitian chefs who are sharing the flavors of Haiti with South Carolina’s Lowcountry and chefs from around the world.
Fonkoze USA attended the “Island Time” event on Sunday, March 8, under the warm Charleston sun, transporting attendees to the islands. The event brought together chefs whose work highlights Caribbean and coastal culinary traditions.
Behind the Scenes with Chef Alain Lemaire
Chef Alain Lemaire, the Haitian-American chef behind Ou Manje Deja?, graciously invited the Fonkoze team into his prep kitchen—offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into preparing dishes for one of the region’s largest culinary festivals.
During kitchen prep, Fonkoze USA’s Executive Director Erlantz Hyppolite joined Chef Lemaire at the grill, helping mix a rich and indulgent dish that would later be served to festival guests: grilled lobster paired with Haitian-style baked macaroni and cheese, finished with black truffles.
The dish combined classic comfort with Haitian culinary tradition, drawing enthusiastic reactions from attendees at the Island Time event.
Showcasing Haitian Flavors with Chef Taïssa Mazile
The weekend also provided an opportunity to connect with Chef Taïssa Mazile, a professional chef and caterer based in Port-au-Prince who travels internationally sharing Haitian flavors through her work with Fusion Bites.
At Island Time, Chef Mazile served braised coffee chicken with djon djon mushrooms, highlighting one of Haiti’s most distinctive and beloved ingredients.
Sharing Haitian Culture Through Food
Events like the Charleston Wine + Food Festival provide an important platform for Haitian chefs to showcase the depth and creativity of Haitian cuisine.
Sharing a meal is universal—it crosses languages, cultures, and borders—and it has a unique ability to bring people together around the same table. Through Haitian cuisine, people can experience a piece of Haiti’s culture, creativity, and warmth wherever they are.
The weekend was filled with remarkable food, new connections, and a shared pride in Haitian culture. Fonkoze is grateful to Chef Lemaire for his hospitality and for the opportunity to experience his work up close.
After such a memorable first visit to the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, the Fonkoze team is already looking forward to returning next year.
