Yes….I COOK TOO!

See, I’m addicted to hosting. I mean please let me pour you a glass of wine!!!

My mother ingrained in me this habit of having open doors in my home where everyone is welcomed to share laughter, drinks and amazing food from the homeland. I cherish and cultivate this heritage and hope to continue this tradition ‘til my last breath.

I’m the cook and photographer behind “Pilon lakay”. This blog started 12 years ago when I realized that I knew absolutely nothing about Haitian cuisine: the food I grew up eating every single day. Back home, I was never taught how to cook nor was I ever interested in being in the kitchen unless it involved baking. Instead, I loved mixing the batter for cakes, pastries and cookies. (Shhhh! I still do).

After a couple of years in the US, like most of us immigrants, I missed food from home. The good stuff, you know! I didn’t want to wait for mom to come visit, for me to finally get to honor my heritage. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and make of this blog a personal exploration of Haitian food. Boy what a journey it has been!

While cooking up a storm in the kitchen, I felt inspired to encourage others like me to actually learn and explore Haiti’s gastronomy. In this blog, you will find that my instructions are personal and beginner friendly. My recipe directions contain a lot more personal details than any other ones you’ll find online because I’m just like you: Never been taught! Just learning! or simply curious!

…. and with that comes mistakes that I’m so not afraid to share. :-)

With a personal touch, my recipes are a depiction of my thought process when I chop, mix, spill, stir and flip…..yes, mistakes included.

I’m sure you can cook anything on here! I mean…If I can do it, you can too!

So grab your PiLON and come experience Haiti through your taste buds! 
Meet you in the kitchen!

Love,
- Nathalie JB