Our Summer Journal: Je vous écris d’Haïti.
Every now and then, I find myself pausing to simply take it all in.
The terrace buzzing with conversation. The sound of cocktail shakers. The laughter coming from L’Atelier. Someone proudly carrying the dish they just made. Friends lingering over one last drink because no one is quite ready to go home.
Moments like these remind me why I started Haïti Bites.
It was never just about opening a restaurant.
It was about creating a place where people could gather after work, celebrate milestones, discover new cultures, learn something new, or simply slow down over a good meal.
Somewhere that felt a little like home, and a little like traveling at the same time.
This summer has been exactly that…
The past few months have been filled with beautiful moments in and around the kitchen.
We’ve welcomed students for fresh pasta, sushi, date night, themed culinary evenings, friends & family private classes, and corporate team-building moments.
Watching someone arrive convinced they “can’t cook” and leave excited to host their first dinner at home never gets old.
And we cannot forget our Personnel de Maison series, Créativité en Cuisine. That program remains especially close to my heart because it goes beyond recipes. It is about giving people confidence, technique, organization, and something far less tangible but equally important: a renewed sense of dignity.
Time and again, I’ve watched participants arrive quietly, sometimes doubting themselves, and leave standing a little taller. They don’t just become better cooks, they rediscover the pride in what they do and the confidence to say, “I matter.” They leave with the feeling that someone believed in them enough to invest in their growth…
One of the highlights of the season was also our Gastro Diplomatie event, where we welcomed 28 students for a day dedicated to food, culture, hospitality, and the role cuisine plays in representing Haiti abroad.
Food carries far more than flavor. It carries memories, identity, generosity… and sometimes, even diplomacy.
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Ambassador Rachel Coupaud for trusting us with such a meaningful event.
We’ve also continued creating memories with our Mommy & Me and Daddy & Me workshops. Those classes are always filled with flour, laughter, tiny hands eager to help, and proud smiles around the table. Exactly as they should be.
Tender moments like these between parent and child are cherished for a lifetime. And I’m grateful for watching them unfold in our space.
I was especially happy to welcome Chef Nastassia from NAGO, whose sushi workshop reminded us how exciting it is when talented people come together to share their passion.
Haiti Bites always tries to deliver you a passport without leaving Haiti.
One thing I love is that every now and then, our dining room quietly transforms into another country.
Through Booz & Tapas, this year we’ve already traveled to Italy, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Lebanon, Tulum, Thailand… and soon we’ll be having India to that list.
It’s never just about the recipes.
It’s a little bit of cooking therapy.
It’s about discovering traditions, learning new techniques, tasting unfamiliar spices, sharing cocktails, listening to music, and spending an evening somewhere else, even if only for a few hours.
A little culinary passport. No luggage required.
It’s also been a summer of football… and community.
This summer gave us something truly special: pride and unity around sport.
Watching Haiti compete in the World Cup transformed our terrace into one big family.
People gathered to cheer, celebrate, stress, hope, laugh, and sometimes hold their breath together.
Whether you came for football or simply for the atmosphere, it was impossible not to feel proud.
Those evenings reminded us that some of life’s best memories happen around a table surrounded by good people.
And just when the final whistle blew, another journey began.
We officially brought back Foodie Diaries, our culinary journey around the world.
Our first destination?
The beautiful island of Santorini, Greece.
For one weekend, Le Bistro was filled with Mediterranean flavors, refreshing cocktails, music, and the feeling of being somewhere far away without ever leaving the block.
And we’re only getting started.
Every Friday and Saturday throughout July and August, Foodie Diaries will continue taking us somewhere new.
Every destination tells a different story.
A different culture.
A different table.
A different cocktail.
That’s what I love most about this series.
For one evening, the menu becomes your passport.
No airport.
No visa.
Just a reservation, good company, and a willingness to discover somewhere new.
We’ll eventually return home together in September with Retour au Bercail, our final stop, celebrating the flavors that always bring us back to Haiti infused with everything we’ve tried through our travel diaries.
Which brings me back to August.
Summer isn’t slowing down.
Far from it.
August brings two experiences I’m especially excited about at L’Atelier.
🇮🇳 August 6 is Booz & Tapas: India.
A vibrant evening exploring one of the world’s richest culinary traditions through handcrafted cocktails, bold spices, and unforgettable appetizers.
Then…
August 10–12 | Créativité en Cuisine 1.0 : Personnel de Maison
Our signature three-day culinary program designed to help home cooks build confidence, organization, creativity, and strong kitchen fundamentals.
Whether they’re just beginning or you’re simply looking to sharpen their skills, this remains one of my favorite experiences we offer.
Be sure to check out our August schedule and reserve your spot.
Hurry as classes fill out really fast. Click here.
When I look back at this summer, what will stay with me most isn’t simply the food.
It’s the people.
The student who discovers a new passion.
The couple who chooses to cook together instead of simply Netflix and chill.
The families making memories around the kitchen island.
The friends who come for one cocktail and stay for four hours.
The colleagues who leave as teammates.
The guests who become regulars.
The regulars who become friends.
That, to me, is Haïti Bites.
A table.
A classroom.
A terrace.
A boutique.
A place where flavors become stories and strangers become familiar faces.
Thank you for continuing to be part of ours.
I can’t wait to see where the rest of this summer takes us.
Until then…
Stay hungry.
Stay curious.
And come travel with us.
With love,
Sylvie
& the Haïti Bites Team
P.S. One last piece of happy news before I go… ❤️ Our wonderful manager, Cassandra, got married this month! Between cooking classes, Foodie Diaries, summer celebrations, and now a wedding in the Haïti Bites family, we’re officially calling this the Summer of Celebrations. Congratulations to the happy couple. We couldn’t be happier for them!
