Chef Spotlight – Chef Geannie

Who is Chef Geannie? (A little background information where you are from, vegan experience etc)

I’m a Haitian American chef born in South Florida. I later moved to Southern California which is where I began to create a name for myself and my vegan style Caribbean cuisine. I began participating in local events and fundraisers , which is when I really noticed the demand for vegan or vegetarian alternative versions of my dishes. I then began to further experiment with new vegan products, test out new recipes, and determine which alternatives would work best. During this process, I began to learn more about veganism and as I started to listen to my own body, I decided to cut out animal products from my own diet and noticed my stomach cramping issues completely stopped. From that point on,Tropical Vegan Cafe was born and I’ve been sharing my love for Caribbean style vegan cuisine since. My business and life then quickly began to change, but it was such a refreshing and organic change.

Where did your passion come from cooking?

Growing up, I remember how much joy the food would bring during any special occasion. During the holidays or celebrations, I would watch my aunts wake up super early to prepare for an amazing feast. I’ve always found the whole process so fascinating and always found myself taking mental notes on the cultural techniques being used, the staple ingredients, and the key flavors that keep the dishes tasting authentic. Since I was little, food was always considered an art to me and I love being able to present my own style/ art piece to the table.

What are some things you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

Before getting into the industry , I wish I would have known to tell myself that I will not work better as a one woman army. Burnout is super real and it’s very important to find like minded individuals who support your company’s vision and can contribute to the growth of your business.

What are you known for as a chef and why?

I’m well known for providing delicious Caribbean style vegan food products. I enjoy sharing easy and fun vegan recipes for others to try and I may just throw in some dance moves to brighten my viewers day! All in all, I just try to spread positive energy and motivate others to eat more plant based meals.

What is something many people might not know about you?

People may not know that I really love to sing and I’m also a pretty shy person !