Haitian-American food vlogger Chef Land Land (yes, that’s right two Lands) is one of the most-followed chefs on Instagram, and she has one of ther fastest growing urban food channels on Youtube. Perhaps you’ve watched one of her Haitian cooking or soul food tutorials? Or perhaps you’ve seen one of her worth-salivating-over photos of her cooking on social media platforms. But how did she get her start? If you love cooking, you should read this interview. If you just love to eat, you should still read this interview! And if you’re an aspiring foodie, you can learn from her…
Kreyolicious: Tell us about some of the earliest memories of you have of food and cooking?
I remember this like yesterday. My grandmother made a meal that I was not used to and could not bring myself to eat. She unfortunately became offended, said that I was rude and the reason I did not eat was because it was from an elderly woman. She said she was throwing in the towel and we would need to prep our own meals. So she showed me the basic…chicken wings.
Kreyolicious: So…Who taught you how to cook?
My mother who started from the very beginning and my oldest sister who stayed by my side for the remainder of my journey.
Kreyolicious: What motivated you to start your cooking channel?
My mother, she was a woman who could light up your heart with her cooking and she passed it down to me. While I am devastated from losing her recently, I want her legacy to go on forever. It’s no secret in the recipes, it’s just about how things are done. I want to share what I know with the world and do the things she didn’t have the chance to fulfill.
Kreyolicious: What are some of the challenges you ran into in the early stages of your venture?
A challenge that I came across was baking. There is science behind baking. The measurements must be precise, and not to mention you must have all of the proper ingredients, especially if you are starting from scratch.
Okra goat stew made by Chef Land Land. [All photos courtesy of Chef Land Land]
Kreyolicious: What’s the most heartwarming compliment you’ve received from a fan?
Whenever I see the Chef Land Land name populate in my notifications, I just know it’s something good”.
Kreyolicious: What would you like to say to aspiring vloggers?
I would tell them, “follow Your heart”. Everyone goes through trial and error. You are not expected to be perfect the first time around. Don’t give up. You just have to practice and stay focused. Always remember, it is tough in the beginning.
Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?
I want my channel to expand, get more followers and one day become a top chef. I have plenty of recipes that I am willing to share and a world full of people who are willing to learn.
Watch one of Chef Land Land’s cooking videos below!
Be sure to visit Chef Land Land’s channel for more video tutorials! CLICK HERE!
