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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This Thursday, November 14, 2024, the young slam artist Youven Beaubrun, Beven by his stage name, qualified Haiti, for the very first time in its history, for the final of the Slam World Cup. This competition, which brings together the best slam artists on the planet, took place on African soil, more precisely in Togo. In a country held by the throat, a country that is dying from start to finish, under the dangerous feat of a certain armed part of its youth, Beven’s extraordinary performance in this competition resonates with the echo of a whole piece of the country, in the thirst for beauty. Beven is the symbol of a youth that refuses to give in to the chaos that surrounds the face of its motherland. Art, slam being his field of specialization, is used in the best possible way to make hope resonate. And to continue to believe that a country that made 1804 cannot afford the luxury of sinking so hard in the face of human history. "It is with pride that I advanced in this competition. Especially with the crisis that is going through the country at the moment. My qualification for the final is an eternal sign of hope, which confirms the fact that not everything in this country will end in death," the young slammer told us before going to compete in the final. The final took place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, where Beven had his chance to represent his wounded land well on the doorstep of a world victory, a victory that if it had taken place, would have been initialed in the name of an entire people, in the absolute race against a great chaos that dreams only of suffocating it. Although he failed to win this cup (finishing in sixth place overall), the Haitian slam champion had time to inspire an entire country during his great journey in this competition. This is only a postponement, next time victory will be achieved for sure.
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The history of Haïti is closely linked to the different names that this land has had over the centuries. These names reflect the eras and influences that have marked the island, from the time of the indigenous peoples to independence. Let’s explore the old names of Haïti and their historical significance.
Dans le cadre du programme de promotion des droits et de l’épanouissement de l’enfant "Timoun se moun" piloté par l’organisation Action Communautaire de Transformation et d’Intégration Formelle (ACTIF), Kay Jèn Yo organise, du 18 au 24 août 2025 (9h am - 1h pm), "Espas Lajwa", un camp d’été qui cible trente (30) enfants de 7 à 15 ans. Une grande panoplie d’activités éducatives, créatives et ludiques sont programmées pour le plus grand bien des enfants. Ils auront droit à des ateliers de : peinture, crochet, macramé, langue des signes, théãtre, lecture, échec, etc. Dans un contexte aussi traumatogène où la violence est monnaie courante, de telles initiaves sont d’une importance capitale. " Les enfants ne sont pas imperméables au stress et autres pathologies que peut provoquer la situation morbide qui sévit dans le pays actuellement", souligne Blondy Wolf Leblanc (Gabynho) DG a.i de ACTIF. "Espace Lajwa se veut donc, un refuge, un lieu où les enfants peuvent s’exprimer en toute sécurité, un espace sécurisant où ils peuvent exprimer leurs émotions à travers plusieurs médiums", précise-t-il. Plus loin, l’animateur socioculturel encourage d’autres structures à travers le pays à prendre des initiatives de ce genre au bénéfice de la santé mentale des enfants. Espas Lajwa est quasiment gratuit. Un frais de participation de 150 gourdes est requis pour la semaine. Quid Kay Jèn Yo Issu du projet "Pran Swen Tèt ou", Kay Jèn Yo est un projet de l’organisation ACTIF supporté par La Perfection École de Haute Couture visant à combattre la violence par l’engagement communautaire à travers des programmes de formation professionnelle et artistique. Situé au numéro 18, imp. Thoby, rue Desdunes, Mahotière 79, Kay Jèn Yo est ouvert du lundi au dimanche (9h am - 6h pm). Sebastien Jean Michel
Summer in Haïti is a magical season where the sun shines brightly, sparkling beaches invite you to relax, and iconic destinations reveal their cultural wealth. This Caribbean island, often little-known in the world of tourism, is full of treasures to discover. Whether you are a lover of relaxing on the fine sand, a history and culture enthusiast, or an adventurer eager for new experiences, Haïti offers a variety of activities that will satisfy all your summer desires.
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.
