Haitian American Author Nadege Fleurimond created HAITI UNCOVERED, a full color coffee table culinary book with photos, recipes, history and culture to be used as a reference for Haitians and Non-Haitians. Check out this Q&A with her and The Real Haiti! 

- Did you grow up in Haiti? Where are you from?
I was born in Haiti, but left at the age of 7. I was born in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, but my family is from the South Department in a city called Les Cayes. That is usually the city that I represent when anyone ask me where I am from. But from 7, Brooklyn has been home. The only time I moved out was when I attended college across the bridge in Manhattan at Columbia University.

- Who were the biggest influencers in your life, especially related to cooking?
Funny enough, my father. He is an amazing cook. As much as he is against this culinary career that I have chosen, he really is my big inspiration. I saw what he was able to do with food, and I was inspired at a very young age.
 
- What was your "ah-ha" moment that made you trade the courtroom for your passion, the culinary industry?
I grew up first wanting to be a doctor. That was mainly because, as Haitian person that's your first calling. So when I attended Brooklyn Tech, I was on this Bio-Chem track full of math and sciences, then I realized I hated it.
 
Upon attending college, all my friends would praise my analytical skills and ability to keep calm and collected in situations. They loved how fair I was in most situations, and we all agreed I should be a lawyer. And it made sense to me, because I am thinker.
 
I don't think I ever gave up my law dreams. I am not one of those people who believe that we all only have one calling. I still have aspirations to go to law school. I may never practice, but I honestly think my mind was made to function as a lawyer.
 
The kitchen chose me. It initially started off as, let me give this a try. To oh, lets see where this will go. 12 years later, I still don't think I have chosen this as my sole path. But I have enjoyed this journey thoroughly and I will continue to do it to the extent that enjoyment and fulfillment is there.

- How would you describe your cooking style?
Diverse. I love real food. I love food that touches your marrow. It has to taste good. Often time people make pretty food that doesn't taste that amazing. I believe you need both. I love amazing, real food, that taste awesome. I love cooking in ways that reminds you of your grandmother, mother, or amazing master uncle cook.
 
- When traveling in Haiti while doing research for your book, what was the one place that you visited that inspired you the most? Or had the most impact?
I think food wise it has to be Jeremie. Jeremie is in the Grand-Anse region of Haiti. The Grand-Anse is the southern Western tip of Haiti. It is very isolated from the rest of Haiti as the road to get there are not the very best. They are just plain bad. So just the travelling was inspiring, but the food culture there is very distinct.  They have items that are very unique to their region such as tom tom, which is a dish made out of mashed bread fruit with a tasty slippery okra sauce. Pisket is another loved dish from the region, which is a dish made of tiny fish, sautéed in oil, tomato paste and seasoning.

- Tell us your favorite part of the real Haiti and why we need to keep spreading awareness of this beautiful land.
The people. While the food is amazing and down right knee buckling good and the beaches and various scenes are a sight to behold, the people of Haiti are the real charm of the country. The humor and candor of a Haitian person is one of the most amazing experiences one can encounter. 

The book is currently available via our website at http://www.nadegefleurimond.com and also on Amazon.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: 

Annie Byas/Jihan Antoine

TaDaGroupInc@gmail.com

516.808.3487

www.thetadagroup.com

TRAVEL JOURNAL AND COOK BOOK FROM CHEF AND CULINARY CURATOR

DELECTABLE FOOD ART WITH ORIGINAL HAITIAN RECIPES FOR THE AMERICAN FAMILY

HAITI UNCOVERED BOOK REVEALED 

(September 16th, 2014—New York, NEW YORK) Foreword by New York 

Times bestselling author Edwidge Danticat, HAITI UNCOVERED: A 

Regional Adventure into the Art of Haitian Cuisine by Chef Nadege 

Fleurimond, is a culinary coffee table book that embraces every region 

and tradition of Haiti. HAITI UNCOVERED will delve into the art of 

Haitian Cuisine and will bring into focus the beauty of Haiti through its 

diverse culinary traditions while offering to Haitians and non-Haitians 

an opportunity to explore and learn. The beautifully bound and 

illustrated, hard cover book, slated to be released on November 18th

2014, will present and represent the dishes, recipes and cooking traditions, from all the 10 geographical 

Departments.

Fleurimond traveled through multiple cities in Haiti such as Port-Au-Prince, Jacmel, Gonaives, and Cap 

Haitien among others to absorb and discover the nuances that are inherit in the rich and diverse culture

of Haiti. One of the ways to learn about any background that is often unknown is to get to know it one 

on one, breaking bread, and learn about the culture through one of the most social and yet intimate 

way...the food. Fleurimond showcased that through her journey in the diverse provinces of her own 

country and to find a bit of you through her culinary journey. Manje ya pare" Food is ready!

“Haiti Uncovered: A Regional Adventure into the Art of Haitian Cuisine is a book that will present an 

accurate depiction of Haiti's culinary art. Beyond the food, the book will present the reader with a very 

realistic view of Haitian culture and society through pictures and historical information. This is not just a 

Recipe book, but rather a look at Haitian culture through a food inspired lens. In essence, this is your 

chance to rediscover Haiti and to present her in a different light,” said Nadege Fleurimond.

The HAITI UNCOVERED cook book will be on pre-sale from $59.99 on August 18th until September 20th

This self-published Haitian cook book was developed and created in part with funds raised from 

Indiegogo campaign created by Nadege Fleurimond with support not only from her friends and family, 

but from a cross section of individuals with interests in food, culture and history. Fleurimond set goals to 

produce this culinary memoir by any means to uncover and rediscover the traditional aspects of Haitian 

cuisine and introduce a contemporary method to enjoying Caribbean food at its best.

For interview or feature consideration with Chef Nadege Fleurimond please contact 

tadagroupinc@gmail.com and visit www.nadegefleurimond.com for more information.

About the author: Nadege Fleurimond is the owner of Fleurimond Catering Inc. Utilizing her Haitian 

culinary background, Fleurimond pulls in world flavors from Asian, Latin American and European 

Cuisines. She has catered for Ann-Hauser Busch, Paul Weiss, NYC Hall, BET, and The Colbert Report, Dr. 

Mehmet Oz, Vivica Fox, etc. With varying interests in business, government, & social issues, Nadege 

graduated with a degree in Political Science from Columbia University. Nadege has been quoted in the 

New York Times, has appeared on the national television show Chopped on the Food Network, and has 

been a Food columnist for the Haitian Times Newspaper since 2008. She is also the recipient of the New 

York Media Alliance’s Ethnic Press Fellowship for 2010 covering the education beat. She also is the 

recipient of the 2011 Feet in Two Worlds Food Writers Fellowship, which has garnered many awards.

The TaDa Group Inc. is a boutique firm that prides on developing personal, highly collaborative 

relationships with individuals trying to pursue a successful career within every realm. They work with 

their client's strengths and special talents to customize smart, strategic, and innovative campaigns that 

will place clients in a position to catapult to greater heights. Their efforts generate increased traffic 

from viewers; heighten reputations, high-value speaking opportunities, and priceless media contacts 

and relationships that clients can continue to build on.

# # # #

I've been wanting to write that and say that for a while now! whewwwww….

In all seriousness, I did quit my day job which was a very comfortable and stable government job. I was 5 months away from being vested in a pension after working for "the system" for 5.5 years. Some told me to just "hang in there" so that I could be vested and collect at least something when I retire eventually. Well, here's why I decided to leave a "perfect situation" and follow my dreams…

We've all heard it so many times - "You can be anything you want to be if you believe in yourself." "Follow your dreams and your heart." Well, it's not always that easy. If we all followed our dreams on being just dreamers and not planners, we would all (or most) wouldn't make it.

A dear friend of mine, whom I met through my blog, Shannon Kelley Cherizier, gave me great advice when I was ready to quit (the first time) my day job a year ago. She told me to hang in there and to read:
Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job Hardcover
by Jon Acuff.
So, I did and I followed his motto: suck it up as long as you can while working your day job and building your dream at night after work and on the weekends. I am so glad I did this because it has finally paid off. 

Although this post isn't about Haiti specifically, I just want you to know that you CAN follow your dreams and your heart, but it will take a lot of blood, sweat and tears in planning/setting yourself up for it. If I can be of any assistance to any of you, please hit the contact button at the top of my page and send me an email! I love to interact with my readers and give positive motivation!

I will dedicate more time to this blog while working for my other non-Haiti related clients for my marketing firm EMPOWER YOUR BRAND. Check it out when you have a chance :) 

Thanks for reading,
XOXO

Contact: Paola Pierre
Phone: (305) 733-9066
Email: info@haccof.com

For Immediate Release
Press Release
Mr. Guy François Jr.  is appointed New Consul General for the Republic of Haiti in Miami

Miami, FL, May 14, 2014

The Board of Directors of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida congratulates Mr. Guy Francois Jr. as the new Consul General for the Republic of Haiti in Miami.

Over the past 3 years Mr. Francois has done an extraordinary job as Consul responsible for Cultural Affairs and Tourism. He has worked tirelessly to showcase how Haiti can once again be the Pearl of the Caribbean at the same time shown nothing but professionalism, commitment and respect for the Haitian-American community.

He clearly understands that private investment and tourism are the key to a brighter future for all Haitians. He knows that Haiti is too rich to be poor. Mr. Francois' commitment and deep respect for Haitians made him widely respected, regardless of political affiliation, wealth or social status.

The Haitian American Chamber Commerce strongly and enthusiastically congratulates Mr. Francois as the new Consul General in Miami and stands ready to work with him in any way possible to the benefit of Haiti and Haitian-Americans.

Board of Directors

The Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida was established in 2005. Its mission is to serve as an advocate for its communities as well as a resource for consumers and businesses dedicated to serving both the needs of its members and the economic development needs of the broader Haitian American Community. The Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce also promotes investment and trade with the Haitian private and public sectors.

 # # #

Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida | (305) 733-9066 | info@haccof.com |http://www.haccof.com
1510 NE 162 Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33162

I was invited as an honoree to attend the 2nd Annual Women International Month awards ceremony honoring women in the media for a "Beacon of Hope and Achievement Award," March 27, 2014.

This last trip we took to Haiti, I naturally pulled out my camera right away and started shooting pics of our adorable little cousins. After that, I decided I didn't want to use my camera on this trip. Being a photographer, this is one of the hardest things to do. I often find myself missing moments or avoiding things because of my camera. So, I packed it up and just used my phone camera and my photographic memory, ultimately living in the moment. 
{I apologize in advanced for the quality since they are from my phone!}

Carnaval
I am not a Carnaval person, at all! I had never been and never really planned on going to it. I didn't realize that there would still be action going on in Jacmel during the time of the national Carnaval in Gonaives. Overall, I am happy I got to experience it…it was crazy! What an amazing experience to see and appreciate the art.

Camionette
I know, I know…how do you know The Real Haiti without riding on a camionette? Well, this is my confession: After traveling to Haiti for so many years, I had my first camionette ride! We were walking down the street in Jacmel with a friend without any destination in mind. Endy said to me, do you want to jump on and just ride downtown? So, we did. We got on and rode downtown for about 20 minutes with people jumping on and off. For those of you who don't know what a camionette is, it's a pickup truck with benches on the back and a roof. You jump on and then tap the glass by the driver when you're ready to get off. Then you get off and pay the guy in the passenger seat. It's super cheap and fun to be with the locals. I always wonder where everyone is always going. Everyone is always so busy in Haiti! 

It always takes me a week or two to get a blog post up after I've returned from Haiti. I go into a US culture shock and I have to adjust back to my life as a blan trapped in a Haitian's body…lol. Here goes the first one after our trip this March.

After arriving from the airport, we went straight to Endy's mom's house. I got out of the car and the first thing I hear is, "DIANA, DIANA, DIANA, DIANA!!!" I turn around and here comes running our cousin's little boy Skye (pictured third on right). He was walking with his other cousins and uncle from church and saw me down the road all dressed in his little black suit with his orange shirt, tie and handkerchief. 

I've had a special bond with this kid since he was a baby, born right before the 2010 earthquake. Not sure what's funnier, the fact that he is almost more mature than I am at 31 or that every time he sees a blan on TV he says it's me. These 3 are just too cute! 

About 5 years ago, I was searching for a gift for my husband Endy online. I came across Zoe Nation Apparel, a site that sells shirts with sayings in Creole and English promoting Haitian pride and culture. I bought a shirt for Endy and I bought myself one. It said "What do you mean I don't look Haitian." I thought it was hilarious and also serious because what does that even mean? People say it all of the time to Haitians. 

Two years ago, I started this blog. I created business cards. I took a picture of me in the shirt for the back of the card as an attention grabber. Everyone who sees it, loves it. I get blank stares and lots of questions like, "Are you French? I see your last name is Pierre-Louis." And I tell them, "No, I am Haitian." Then it starts a conversation.

Last year, I was at a Haitian event that had a fashion show. There were models representing Zoe Nation Apparel. They were modeling the Haitian clothing line. My husband grabbed the owners attention, Isaiah Fleurimond, and showed him my business card. He was in shock. It was so awesome to meet each other. We connected instantly. 

We kept in touch and this year we started selling the shirts on this website. 

This November, 10 kids from Jacmel (ACFFC) got the opportunity to visit South Florida to work on a project. I told Isaiah and he generously offered to donate shirts to them.

And then this happened...

Click to purchase t-shirt here ($18)!

Also available in red. Unisex t-shirt sizes S-2XL.

Isaiah is an absolutely pleasure to work with and know. His professionalism and love for life is reflected in his success. Thank you so much for these shirts. The kids absolutely love them! THANK YOU, MESI ANPIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!