When you think of Creole food, you might picture spicy gumbos or rich crawfish stews. However, there’s a lot more to explore. Fabrice Armand, a food enthusiast and organizer of the Creole Food Festival, focuses on broader influences in Creole cuisine, including flavors from Haiti, Puerto Rico, and beyond. This year’s festival is excitingly set to debut in Brooklyn at the Time Out Market.
Fabrice has loved cooking since childhood. Growing up in a family of cooks sparked his passion. His career in marketing led him to cover the Haiti Food & Spirits Festival, where he met talented chefs like Gregory Gourdet. This experience opened his eyes to the challenges chefs of color face in gaining recognition. It inspired him to launch a food festival that showcases diverse culinary traditions.
Many people mistakenly associate Creole food only with Haiti and New Orleans. In reality, Creole culture connects a tapestry of culinary traditions from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and even parts of Asia. According to Fabrice, researching these connections for two years before starting the festival revealed just how widespread these influences are.
The festival has featured chefs from various backgrounds, including Senegal, Nigeria, and the Dominican Republic. Fabrice aims to highlight the South’s rich Creole heritage as well, showcasing cuisines from places like Charleston and Atlanta.
He’s discovered more culinary treasures along the way. For instance, countries like Belize and Honduras have their variations of Creole food, known as garifuna. This reflects shared traditions with Caribbean and Latin American cuisines.
The festival has grown beyond New York, dipping into diverse cities like Washington D.C. and Miami. Looking ahead, Fabrice hopes to expand into Boston, Oakland, and even international locations like Kigali, Rwanda.
Now, the festival is finally coming to Brooklyn, driven by community demand. Fabrice believes collaboration with the Time Out Market is a perfect fit, celebrating culinary diversity in a vibrant space.
The grand tasting on September 27 is a highlight of the festival. It will feature 12 renowned chefs, including Kelvin Fernandez, who has received accolades from Forbes and is known for his appearances on cooking shows. Joining him will be Chef Ronnie Laurice, an acclaimed Caribbean chef.
This year’s festival also introduces a community aspect. Even those without tickets can enjoy live music and DJ performances in the plaza, creating an inclusive atmosphere.
Fabrice hopes attendees will embrace the festival’s core message of diversity and inclusion. The event highlights the creativity of immigrant chefs and their contributions to American food culture.
The Creole Food Festival runs from September 26 to 27 in Brooklyn. Celebrating culinary traditions from across the diaspora, it promises a rich experience for all who attend.
For more information on the event, you can visit Time Out: Time Out Market Brooklyn.
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