Cheffe Leen! A name that’s been making the rounds on social media in recent weeks! And for good reason: the Haitian chef represented Haïti in the Guinness World Records in an extraordinary culinary competition. This challenge consisted of cooking for eight days non-stop, a bold way to showcase the richness of Haitian cuisine.
It was in France, more precisely at the Anba Le Pont restaurant, located in Saint-Denis, that Leen Excellent embarked on this exceptional adventure. Starting on Monday, April 7, 2025, she cooked non-stop for nine consecutive days, totaling 187 hours of actual cooking time (after deducting statutory breaks). A historic achievement, combining endurance, passion, and cultural pride.
So, if you were Chef Leen, what would be the first dish you would cook to represent Haitian cuisine to the world?
The Haïti Wonderland editorial team asked a few readers this question: some readily answered white rice with pea and vegetable sauce, which they call GOAT. Others opted for a good lalo, a tasty pye kochon stew, a good tchaka, or even the famous morning rice.
Given this diversity, I’ve chosen to present each dish mentioned in the survey over the weeks.
Read the article in :
Haitian Tchaka Recipe
Ingredients:
500g dried corn
300g red peas or Congo peas
500g pork
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 bouquet garni
1 West Indian chili
2 cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bouillon cube
1. Soaking (the day before):
Soak the corn and red peas separately in water overnight to facilitate cooking.
2. Cooking the peas:
Drain and cook the peas in a large pot with water, salt, a little garlic, and thyme. Cook until tender.
3. Cooking the Corn:
Cook the corn separately in a separate pot with water until tender (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the type of corn).
4. Preparing the Meat:
Clean the pork (with lemon or vinegar), then boil it with a little salt, garlic, cloves, and spices. Then brown the meat in a little oil until golden brown.
5. Assembly:
Once the peas and corn are thoroughly cooked, combine them in a large pot. Add the browned pork, the whole chili pepper, the chopped onion, the bouillon cube (if desired), and adjust the seasoning.
6. Final Cooking:
Simmer over low heat for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the mixture becomes smooth and fragrant. You can add water or coconut milk for a richer texture.
Tchaka is more than a dish: it’s a symbol of sharing, tradition, and memory. A dish that, like Chef Leen, represents the strength and pride of our culinary heritage.
See you next week for another recipe from the survey!
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Christmas in Haïti is a holiday full of traditions, spirituality and moments of conviviality. Marked by religious celebrations, family feasts and unique cultural expressions, Haitian Christmas is a magical time that reflects the generous and festive soul of the Haitian people. This article takes you to the heart of Christmas traditions in Haiti.
The Center department, commonly called Plateau Central, is one of the ten (10) departments of Haïti most robust in the face of certain natural phenomena. Before becoming one of the ten (10) departments of Haiti, the Center department was part of the Great North. It is renowned for its natural landscapes, its biosphere climate and its resistance to certain natural phenomena. In addition to its natural productions such as corn, millet and livestock, the Center department is also known for its high mountains which constitute a robust defense against certain natural phenomena such as earthquakes and floods. Composed mainly of high mountains, the department of Charlemagne Peralte and Benoît Batravil is the only one of the ten (10) not to have an outlet to the sea. However, its inhabitants take advantage of the vast rivers, rivers and lakes which cross it . With an area of 3,487 km², the population of the Center department is estimated at 678,626 according to a study carried out in 2009. On this same area, the department is divided into four (4) districts and twelve (12) communes. Bordered to the east by the Dominican Republic, the Center department connects other departments of the country such as Nord and Artibonite, and connects the two countries of the island through border areas like Balladère, Hinche and Cerca Carvajal. In the Center department, there are sites that could attract tourists for their natural beauty. In Saut d’Eau, there is the Saut d’Eau waterfall, in Hinche we find the Zim basin, the Péligre lake, the Péligre hydroelectric dam, the Artibonite river, and the Deux river (2 ) Rooms in Thomonde, more precisely in "El Manni", not far from the communal section of Caille-Epin. Thanks to its strong mountains and its natural climate, the Center department remains one of the most resistant departments in the event of an earthquake in Haiti.
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The publishing house Csimon Publishing, led by Dr. Cherlin Simon, is excited to announce the creation of a subsidiary of Csimon Publishing in Haiti. Indeed, a management team, aimed at strengthening its approach to young Haitian authors, has been set up by the parent company, located in Virginia, United States. The goal of this initiative is to better support its authors, particularly the younger ones, offering them reliable assistance to foster their creativity and help them thrive. The committee is also in place to better coordinate the publishing house’s actions in their favor. This aligns perfectly with Csimon Publishing’s vision to actively contribute to the elevation of Haitian literary culture on a global scale, while highlighting Haitian talents and creating a bridge between Haïti and the rest of the world, which constitutes global culture. It is worth noting that among the more than 150 works already published by Csimon, most are works by Haitian authors living in Haiti.
Haiti, a Caribbean island country, is much more than just a tourist destination. It embodies a symbol of resistance, freedom and the struggle for emancipation, a historical example for the whole world. In this article, we will explore why Haïti is considered a true symbol of freedom, by highlighting its history, culture and its essential role in the fight against oppression.
In a video that recently went viral, content creator Pigtoriasecret from Taiwan attempted to make Haitian vegetables. She showed off her culinary skills in a video captioned “Haitian Vegetable.” Her lighthearted approach to mixing culture, cuisine, and humor was creative and offered a unique twist that engaged food lovers and those curious about different cultures. However, comments from Haitians were pouring in from all sides, with criticism of the quality, sarcasm about the method, and irony about the creator’s courage in choosing to cook this dish. It didn’t stop! Haïti Wonderland, far from setting itself up as a chef with Michelin stars, brings you the recipe for Haitian vegetables, “legim” or “toufe.”
First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.
Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.
Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.
