Let’s get to know Haitian groups and bands, and isn’t fashion the best way to get a perspective of whom they are?

Today’s Kreyolicious fashion spotlight will shine on the group named Gabel. Let’s see now…

The crew in their suits!

The band’s co-lead singer isn’t shy when it comes to experimenting with colors. Here he is in a sun-yellow, long-sleeved shirt and form-fitting jeans.

The members sport the title of their newest albums.

The Gabel boys looking very debonair in their custom suits and pink bow ties.

One of the singers hide his eyes behind some bright shades, while the band’s drummer goes for a casual nylon jacket thrown over a gray shirt.

One of the lead singers wears a yellow pants that pop, and a flashy mohawk. Hater blockers on deck.

Band members show their individuality through distinctive get-ups.

The band’s drummer sports a striped top over khakis! And a light gold necklace and playful wristband.

The boys of Gabel are dressed for traveling! Hoodies that can easily come off in hot weather or that can be pulled close in case the weather gets extra cold.

And this is Gabel! Aren’t the boys of Gabel looking Kreyolicious at every turn?

Photos: Via Band FB Fan Page

What time is it? It’s time to explore fashion as worn by some Kreyolicious celebrities. The band in question today is going to be…T-Vice. Yee-yay!

One of the T-Vice lead singers sports a pair of jeans, perfect for nighttime partying.

This look says tropical and island and Caribbean all over it. The boys in T-Vice are definitely wearing popping colors. With this look, the band demonstrates that a little color here and there can work, and will take nothing away from one’s masculinity.

The band gives tribute to 18th Century fashion in this photo, from their dramatic diagonal hats to tight pants.

Here the boys of T-Vice are dressed for a night of performing. They favor the long-sleeved shirt look. Rather than dressing alike, each frontrunner sport their own style. They choose to wear shirts that can transition easily from casual to semi-formal.

Ooh, I like this look. The boys don solid yet comfortable kicks to walk around and perform in. They have a penchant for hoodies and comfortable clothing.

And this concludes this edition of Kreyolicious’ Celebrity Style segment. See you guys next time!

Image Credit: All photos from band’s Facebook Page; colonial wear photo credit…Francois Adrien

Ask Hollywood’s biggest stars who they have their assistants calling when they need their breakfast, lunch and–or—dinner plate filled with delicious food? Ask! You’ll probably hear the name Chef Manouschka Guerrier come up a lot…a whole lot. Chef Manouschka has cooked for the likes of Drake, Barbara Streisand, Ariana Grande, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, just to name five. The Brooklyn-born diva of scrumptious cuisine has a background as colorful as some of her dishes. She has been a video model, and, in the mid-2000s snagged roles in movies like Crimes Against Charlie, and Crooked.

Manouschka Guerrier’s front-of-the-camera experience still comes in handy, as one might imagine. She starred as one of the chefs on the Food Network’s show “Private Chefs of Beverly Hills”, and was called on by the TV Guide channel as food stylist for “Hollywood Girl’s Night”. She’s single-handedly brought her company Single Serving to recognizable brand-status, while catering Hollywood’s most high-profile events and feeding some of the world’s hottest celebs.

K. St. Fort: Who taught you how to cook?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: I learned how to cook from my grandmother Olga, my mother and my father. I always thought my mother was the greatest cook ever, but it wasn’t until her funeral 7 years ago that I found out she went to culinary school…she was a bona fide trained chef.

K. St. Fort: Growing up, what view did you have of cooking?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Growing up in a Haitian kitchen, I wasn’t really a fan of it. Haitian cooking is so time-consuming and labor-intensive…plus my family cooked everyday…except Friday nights, [when] we ordered Chinese. There was no such thing as frozen or canned junk food meals in my home.

Growing up in the States as a first-generation Haitian-American, you are desperate to try other cuisines… but eating out was a luxury which was mostly a trip to Sizzler or Red Lobster—fancy, I know—so early on in my life, I actually got tired of Haitian food…but when I moved to LA sixteen-and-a-half years ago, I craved the comforts of home, so I started hitting up my grandmother and parents, collecting written recipes and got to cracking… it changed my life! I have created so many shortcuts that makes our food more accessible.

K. St. Fort: I’m going to give you a list of spices…Garlic. Thyme. Bell pepper. Parsley. And I’m going to ask you a question about them. So keep them in mind. Okay, so if you were given a spice ban…where you could not use one of these spices for the rest of your life in your cooking…which would cause you the most distress… not being able to cook without garlic, thyme, bell pepper or parsley.

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Cooking without garlic would have to be the worst! It’s so prominent in all the cuisines I adore Caribbean, Asian, Italian and so on.

K. St. Fort: Word on the street is that you have a new show…”Food Fighters”. That’s an awfully catchy name. What’s it all about?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: It’s home cooks versus five pro chefs. The home cooks battle the chefs with five of their tried, true and tested, best recipes…the chefs find out what we are making on the spot so we have less than a minute to figure out how to beat these home cooks at their own game. I have been asked to do a lot of competition shows over the years and this was the only one I agreed to because I learned how to cook from home cooks.

I have an incredible amount of respect for them…Hell, at the end of the day we are all home cooks. I love how the show isn’t mean-spirited and it really is a friendly competition with some healthy smack talk between sparring. The home cooks competing are so deserving of a win, they are all battling for some incredible causes. My favourite part is that I get to rep Haitian cuisine on an international stage in front of millions of people.

This is my first foray as a chef from cable to primetime network TV and it’s an absolute honor to showcase the flavors of what I feel is the best type of cuisine, the cuisine of my people to the rest of the world. It’s about time that people learn that Haiti is more than just a poor country faced with numerous disasters that stunt our growth as a nation. Our greatest commodities are our art, music, coffee, sugar, rum, resilience and food. [Smiles]

K. St. Fort: Did you know that Manouschka is a Russian name?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Hah…yes, I knew.

Kreyolcious: You ever ate Russian cuisine?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: I have traveled Eastern Europe, was engaged to a Russian once, lived in a predominately Russian part of West Hollywood and there is a bomb Russian spot at walking distance from my house now called Talisman…I kill their buffet. It’s so good!

K. St. Fort: You ever burned yourself cooking?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: All the time pulling stuff out of the oven… I’m an idiot.

K. St. Fort: Hah. Is there a dish that you aren’t particularly fond of, but you enjoy cooking?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: I hate cooked/caramelized onions with a passion…buuuuut I do like the way it smells while cooking. Reminds me of home. You know something is about to taste bomb when you smell onions and garlic—see told you I can’t live without garlic—cooking in olive oil or with bacon. I can’t live without bacon either…hah!

Girl, when was the last time you went to Haiti?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: I was in Haiti last October for 10 days. It was my first time visiting in almost 30 years. I even got to visit my grandfather. It was the third or fourth time I had ever seen him. I saw my grandmother’s kitchen and the portable burners she used to cook on…it was surreal!

K. St. Fort: You’ve cooked for celebrities, and all sorts of spectacular events. Of these engagements, which have been the most memorable?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Cooking for Ariana Grande’s grandfather for Father’s Day was the most memorable. What an amazing, LOVING, energetic, positive, beautiful family. We just lost her grandfather, lovingly known as “Nonno” a few weeks ago…broke my heart. Tied for a close second was cooking for Drake. He is truly one of the most down to earth guys I have ever met and catering Mel B’s baby shower. She was the only client I have ever had that called me personally to thank me and my assistant Stacy the next day! Usually I get a thank you from an assistant or house manager or by email.

K. St. Fort: What would you like to say to beginning chefs, in terms of getting comfortable in the kitchen and becoming good at cooking?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Best advice I ever got was a year ago working for acclaimed chef Adam Perry-Lang—“Shut up, keep your head down and cook!” It’s that simple and it set me free.

K. St. Fort: It shouldn’t surprise you that my next question is about seasoned chefs. What should they do to take their culinary hustle to the next level?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Take risks. Be bold. Stand by your product. Take on a mentor, be open to learning, accept criticism gracefully, be respectful to those you are working with, be courteous to those that are helping you, watch your temper…you’re cooking food not curing cancer. Listen. Taste your food. Take field trips to local farmer’s markets. Explore all the ethnic markets that are in your city. Social media is your best friend. Culinary school does not guarantee you work. Surround yourself with others that share your love of food and desire for success…Oh, and pray…pray a lot.

K. St. Fort: Do you learn new things from time to time about cooking? Or at this point, do you feel that you know all you’ll ever need to know?

Chef Manouschka Guerrier: Like anything in life, to stop learning is akin to dying. I am so blessed I get paid to do what I love and there are so many avenues I still need to learn. And it will take me the rest of my life to learn new tricks, techniques and flavors that I will die with just a blip of the food knowledge that’s available.

That excites me! Plus, I’m not that big of a baker or work with pastry so I have tons of that stuff to learn. A huge dream of mine is to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and attend culinary school…preferably in Paris. Do you have a Rosetta Stone in French I can borrow?

Connect with Chef Manouschka Guerrier on Twitter |CLICK HERE to visit Manouschka Guerrier’s website. | CLICK HERE to check Manouschka Guerrier out on Instagram|

The fact that Joanna Petit-Frere is also a fashion photographer distinguishes her from many other celebrity makeup artists in the entertainment industry. She’s able to use her skills as a photographer, and her knowledge of light and exposure to help her celebrity and non-celebrity clients create the ideal look.

Celebrities like Elle Varner, Cecily Tyson, Blair Underwood, Kenny Latimore, Angela Simmons (among hordes of others) have all had their faces done by her. Tyson’s spectacular makeup in the award-winning film A Trip to Bountiful was also done by Joanna.

Above: The result of the makeup work that Joanna Petit-Frere did on the face and hair of actress Cicely Tyson for the film A Trip to Bountiful.

The Boston resident and Massachusetts College of Art graduate has earned two honors for her dual talents. She won a Best Makeup Artist trophy at the Boston Fashion Awards and was selected as Best Photographer of The Year
 at the Boston FAB Awards.

Above: Joanna Petit-Frere works on Nancy V. Brown.

Check out the L’Oreal tutorial below made by Joanna herself.

Be sure to also watch this segment of “Style It Up” in which this kreyolicious makeup artist gives some makeup tips, and talks about her work as photographer. She busts the popular myth that a woman must wear the same color makeup as her clothes. She also discusses makeup and style trends.

Joanna has worked with so many brands, including L’Oreal, Christian Dior and her fashion, makeup and artistry work has been featured all over, including VibeViven and RollingOut. By the way, this Boston resident and Haitian-American is the founder of Visage 1 Studios, her own firm.

Hope you enjoyed meeting Joanna Petit-Frere. This is your favorite chick Kreyolicious signing off.

BE SURE TO VISIT JOHANNA PETIT-FRERE’S WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE!

CLICK HERE TO READ OTHER FASHION AND BEAUTY POSTS!

One of the most celebrated plastic surgeons in the nation, Board-Certified, award-winning Dr. Ruth Celestin did not get to where is by drawing a fortune cooking quote and, poof, she became a celebrity plastic surgeon. It’s been a combination of non-stop hard work, great sense of personal direction, and the drive to live her best life, while also helping others attain their surgical objectives.

Dr. Celestin has worked on some of your faves, and has a thriving practice in the Georgia area. She completed her undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, and graduated from New Jersey Medical School. Self-Best Atlanta magazine once named her Best Plastic Surgeon for Breasts for three consecutive years. Media outlets like CBS46/WGCL-TV Atlanta call on her when they need a plastic surgery expert. She is the founder of Celestial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is among the stellar surgeons at Oculus, a plastic and reconstructive surgery practice.

Kreyolicious: When you were little, did you visualize this life for yourself?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: In some ways, yes, but in others no. Life is full of surprises no matter how much you plan. I always wanted to be a doctor, thanks in large part to my wonderful pediatrician Dr. Anthony Ricciardi, and I thought I would be a Pediatrician because of my own love for children. But while in medical school I discovered that the best use of my talents, in conjunction with my hobbies and natural interests was the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. It’s been a torrid love affair ever since [Laughter] As far as my personal life, I never imagined leaving the New York area and living in the South but taking leap of faith and stepping outside of my comfort zone has definitely paid off for me and been a blessing.

Kreyolicious: Has there ever been a time when you refused to perform a procedure on a patient?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Yes, absolutely! I think a common misconception is that plastic surgeons are all about the money and that we aren’t really doctors. While some plastic surgeons may fit that stereotype, I’m proud to say that I am first and foremost a physician and therefore always putting safety and a patient’s well-being first. I’ve refused procedures for patients with unrealistic expectations as well as for patients who are not emotionally or medically optimized for elective surgery. It’s elective after all. That’s the importance of the consultation before surgery!

Kreyolicious: As a plastic surgeon, you help alter people’s looks to help them gain confidence. Growing up, did you feel beautiful and confident?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Growing up in the 80’s was a mixed bag for a little dark-skinned Haitian-American girl. On the one hand, in America it felt to me like everything light was right and I didn’t receive many messages of positivity regarding my skin and hair. But on the other hand, in the microcosm of my home and family, my self-image was positively reinforced. My mom, dad, uncles and aunts etc. always told me I was pretty, had pretty brown gums and beautiful brown skin, and that I was a beautiful “daughter of Dessalines”. I didn’t quite know what that meant at the time and yes there’s undoubtedly some controversial history in that comment but I think it was one meant to positively reinforce my blackness, which I think any young black woman needs from her loved ones. More importantly than feeling beautiful though, my parents really went out of their way to make sure that I felt smart and empowered to get an education and make my dreams come true. They allowed me to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to do, and never let my race or gender serve as a barrier or an excuse.

Kreyolicious: What books would you recommend that you feel are must-reads for people serious about attaining success and personal growth?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Well, I must say for a while I only read medical textbooks and plastic surgery textbooks and journals but now that I have a little more pleasure reading time, I would recommend: The Bible: Okay, I know some people won’t want to hear this and that’s fine, but I have found that a lot of the most successful self-help and motivational books in the world have principles and concepts directly taken from scripture. So, I try to make time to read what God has to say to me. Other than that, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, and lastly Skinny Girl Solutions by Bethenny Frankel, a recent read that I find highly motivational from a wildly successful female entrepreneur who started from the bottom.

Did you enjoy this interview with Dr. Ruth Celestin, famed plastic surgeon? Stay tuned for PART II, and PART III of the interview! Meanwhile…

CLICK HERE to learn more about Dr. Ruth Celestin and her world-famous practice. CLICK HERE to follow the famed plastic surgeon on Instagram | CELESTIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

The conversation with award-winning celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Ruth Celestin continues. Today, we’re going to reach deep into her roots and discuss culture and heritage. The New Jersey-born daughter of Haitian parents, the surgeon was recently honored by the Creole Image Awards for her accomplishments in her field. Let’s start by discussing her childhood…

Kreyolicious: What was your Haitian-American experience?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: That’s a broad one but I’ll sum it up as follows: Being of Haitian descent but born in America (NJ), my life has been enriched by the culture my parents worked so hard to pass down to my sisters and me. While children of course always want to be the same as their peers and not stand out, we were raised to be proud of who we are, our language, our culture, all of it from a very young age way before it was popular to be Haitian in America. My parents came here for opportunity and that’s exactly what they found. Their experience in this country has contributed in large part to my patriotism and belief in the American dream. This is honestly one of the biggest reasons why I chose to serve my country as a reservist in the US Air Force. So, my Haitian-American experience has been amazing!

Kreyolicious: What role have your parents had in your success?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: No doubt, my parents were the biggest factors in my life that drove me to work hard and strive for success. I know it sounds cheesy but their story— two young people leaving all they know and love behind and immigrating to a strange country, working hard in Manhattan and subsequently New Jersey to carve out a life for themselves and help their entire families immigrate as well— makes it hard for me to rest on my laurels, having been blessed with the gift of being born in this land of opportunity. They are my daily inspiration and I hope I make them proud.

Dr. Ruth Celestin, accepting her Creole Image Honors Awards conceptualized by fellow Haitian-American Kervin Andre.

Kreyolicious: Are there things they did that you were miffed about growing up but thank them for now?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: No doubt growing up, they drove me absolutely crazy. They were super strict about everything from grades to going out to how we dressed and wore our hair— everything. I used to think they were doing it just to ruin my social life and was a bit of a renegade. But as I went off to college and started working to become a doctor I quickly understood that all they wanted was to protect me. Now as an adult, I can say I’ll probably raise my kids the same way. Don’t tell them I said that though [Laughter].

Kreyolicious: I won’t! I remember reading this headline about a black surgeon in plain clothes on a plane where a passenger was having some sort of emergency. When the surgeon tried to intervene, her credentials were questioned. Have you ever been in such a situation?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Yes that incident was really heartbreaking, but sadly not shocking to me. Every day, I have to deal with microagressions against me as a black female surgeon. Someone– from patients to patient families to staff in a new hospital will question my experience, intelligence, credentials or skill based on my appearance, age, sex, or even the fact that I like designer heels and makeup. I have introduced myself as Dr. Celestin to a patient, educated them on their procedure and answered all of their questions only to be asked if my male practice partner would be doing their actual surgery. Black and minority male surgeons don’t quite deal with the level of ingrained societal dismissal that female surgeons and female surgeons of color encounter daily. Some have suggested that I wear a white coat or scrubs more often to help with this issue and make myself “less threatening to other women”, and honestly, I find that suggestion insulting because no such request would be made of a male physician. I think the answer is that we need to do a better job as a society of accepting that doctors come in all colors, genders, religions and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. I’ve responded to many medical emergencies on the side of the road before EMS gets there and never had the grateful accident victims ask to see my credentials before accepting my help or expertise as a surgeon. I hope my future children live in a world where this is no longer an issue. I won’t let it make me bitter, but will continue to be genuinely myself and in so doing hopefully re-educate people about what a surgeon looks like. Whew! That was a mouthful.

Kreyolicious: Do you travel to Haiti often?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Sadly, no I do not travel to Haiti often. This is a dream of mine and for various reasons it hasn’t yet happened, but it will someday soon.

Kreyolicious: Do you feel close to the Haitian-American community?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: I still feel very connected to the Haitian-American community though because the diaspora is so strong here in the US. My brother-in-law is a restaurateur in New Jersey and so I have Haitian cultural events and fine dining at my fingertips at First Republic Restaurant and Lounge whenever I visit home. He knows to practically bring the food to the airport because I won’t go back to Atlanta without a taste [Laughter] That said, Atlanta still being relatively new to me, I’m always looking to strengthen those community ties and build relationships with Haitian people living here in the A. [Smiles]

This is PART II of the interview with Dr. Ruth Celestin. CLICK HERE if you missed PART I. Stay tuned for PART III.

Meanwhile, CLICK HERE to follow her journey on Instagram |CLICK HERE to visit Dr. Ruth Celestin’s website |

When you’re one of the most wanted and most requested plastic surgeons on the planet, and you’re balancing family life, plus your other obligations, how do you keep yourself from neglecting yourself? Dr. Ruth Celestin of Oculus in Georgia is one of those always-on-the-go medical professionals. When the whole world looks at you as if you always have it together, and don’t need any self-nourishment, how do you handle things? And what about friendships, especially women friendships? How meaningful are they to a professional woman’s well-being?

Here she is answering my questions about self-care and friendships…

Kreyolicious: As someone who is hugely successful…people come to you not only for their plastic surgery needs but also to be mentored, to be counseled. We hear of people who are the go-to person for everybody’s needs but who have no one to turn to for those needs. How do you make sure you take care of “you” too? Wow, hugely successful?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Consider me flattered. I see myself as more of a work in progress [Winks]. But to answer the question, I do give 100% of me to my patients and staff, sometimes to the point where it can be stressful. There are days where I have talked so much all day to so many people that I come home and don’t want to utter another word! But I’ve also learned that you have to prioritize yourself to have anything left to give others. To take care of me, I lean on lessons I learned from mom, who is a cosmetologist as well as a nurse and absolutely beautiful at her age: I find enjoyment in self-maintenance. You feel good when you look good and this is not vanity it’s reality. I have a “girl cave” as my husband calls it where I spend quiet time and beautify. Hair, nails, massages, spa days, shopping, workouts, girlfriend time. All to-do’s, but I make sure I enjoy them by putting the phone down and engaging with my friends, trainer, stylist or technician. Or, if I’m just too tired, it’s headphones and great music while I’m getting pampered or working out. No emails or calls during “me” time! For a doctor that is very difficult, but having a great team in place makes it possible even if only for short periods of time. I have a lot of respect for their personal time and in return they do for mine as well and I’m grateful for that. Last but certainly not least I’m super blessed to have a wonderful husband who takes excellent care of me, even when I forget to take care of myself!

Kreyolicious: Are you going to write a book someday?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Yes! I am going to put it out there so as to hold myself accountable! Writing a book is on my list of things I want to do. I have a lot of life yet to live and I don’t think I or anyone has all of the answers but… I’d like to think that my struggles and experiences might serve as inspiration and give someone a more clear path to their own success. And also tell a fun/entertaining story while I’m at it. Maybe there’s more than one book in me??

Kreyolicious: What else are you working towards accomplishment wise?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Oh so much, it’s impossible to list. My mind is always working on the next project. As I mentioned, I see myself as a perpetual work in progress— I’m a perfectionist and happen to be my own biggest project. God is not done with me yet, and I’ve got some big dreams. In the short term, I plan to travel much more (we just got back from Paris celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary!). We’re getting a puppy, planning to have a family, and long-term I’m planning to take over the world. Nothing big. [*winks*]

This concludes the three-part interview with Dr. Ruth Celestin, plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert! CLICK HERE if you missed the previous installments.

CLICK HERE to follow her journey on Instagram |CLICK HERE to visit Dr. Ruth Celestin’s website | OCULUS on Facebook |

New Jersey-based personal trainer Dieudonne Merceus has mastered discipline, and he gets his celebrity clients looking their best for their performances and personal appearances. Merceus counts hip hop legend Roxane Shante among his clients. He is the founder of Addicted to Fitness, a firm that caters to his celebrity clientele as well as other fitness lovers in the New Jersey/New York area. Read how he developed his obsession with personal training, and how he made it into a business and career.

Kreyolicious: Was Weight Training your favorite class in high school?
Dieudonne Merceus: High school is where I developed my love of working out. However, weight training wasn’t my favorite. It was math! Weight training didn’t become my favorite thing to do until right after high school. Once I realized that…if I didn’t train then…I wasn’t myself. I was on edge…very annoyed throughout my day so that’s when the consistency kicked in!

Kreyolicious: Whose fitness regimen did you admire growing up?
Dieudonne Merceus: I’ve always admired Shawn Ray’s regime and his style of training mainly because he was all-natural (no drugs). Shawn Ray is an accomplished body builder, author and body building commentator on ESPN. He is mentioned in The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Bill Dobbins and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Kreyolicious: How did you develop all this discipline?
Dieudonne Merceus: My discipline comes from a few various sources. I hate to disappoint others. I hold myself accountable when it comes to fitness and I want the same for my clients. Therefore, I’m always out to show and prove to them that I practice what I preach. I expect the same effort in return, so it’s almost impossible for me to ever slip or lose a step!

Kreyolicious: Are there certain foods that you avoid in order to stay fit?
Dieudonne Merceus: The foods to avoid in order to stay fit are fried foods and heavy starches. Pasta and processed foods such as white rice, they stick to you and it takes a lot of hard work to get it off to achieve your goals! The more colorful your food, the healthier it is. Remember, food is fuel. How it is prepared can either hurt or help. Stay away from deep frying, foods loaded with sodium, and avoid processed foods- cans, bags, fast food chains- and so on. Eat multiple small meals throughout the day. Cleansing! Every so often you should detox. You naturally rid yourself of toxins when you sweat and through regular bowel movements but you should also cleanse.

Kreyolicious: How did you get your first celebrity client?
Dieudonne Merceus: I got my first celebrity client from just staying consistent and putting in hard work. After awhile the word gets around and I am a MOG (Man of God) so I truly believe in energies! When the success rate of your clients are 95% or better people are drawn to that. Celebrities are real people too and they seek change like we all do. I’m blessed and humbled to have worked with many in the industry. Most people come/stay with me once they realize how passionate I am about my gift…I go on their journey with them and how it’s bigger than a buck when it comes to me! I love receiving the pictures, text messages or IG posts reflecting my clients’ progress!

Kreyolicious: You been to Haiti?
Dieudonne Merceus: I’ve never been to Haiti. I’ve been wanting to go for years. However, after the earthquake and hurricanes, I am always giving back to Haiti! I’ve done fundraisers, used my Fitness Center as a drop-off location to have necessities shipped back home as well! I’ve also funded for a few people to go back home to visit their love ones! I will be going soon though. Haiti is a beautiful country and I want to witness it with my own eyes.

Kreyolicious: Where do you see yourself going in your field?
Dieudonne Merceus: As a fitness instructor, I see myself continuing to plant and sow seeds. I plan on continuing to change plenty of lives and opening up several health and wellness centers for those that are interested in living longer and healthier lives.

CLICK HERE to visit Addicted to Fitness, the firm from entrepreneur Dieudonne Merceus| FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Tahisha Solages is a cook who loves to sing, not a singer who loves to cook. Though singing is a passion, she considers herself a chef first and foremost. And she’s not just any chef. The now-culinary star appeared on the competitive cooking reality show “The Chew”, and won laurels for her spicy wings. She currently owns and runs her personal chef and catering company, Encore Events. In her spare time, the star chef and St. John’s University graduate loves playing the piano, and being a wife and mother.

K. St. Fort: Who was the best cook you knew growing up?
The best cooking you growing up was my grandmother vest and Elsa. My grandmother practically raised me. But my mom and my dad worked long hours at work, she was the one will basically migrated from Haiti to raise me and my siblings, she gave me one of the greatest Gifts of language being that I’m fluent in Haitian Creole and she taught me all the domestics of being a woman , how to care for your household such as cooking and what it means to be a woman of Distinction, and value… I’m forever grateful.

K. St. Fort: Were you ever a bad cook at any point of your life, chile?
No. I wouldn’t say that I was ever a bad cook. I learned at a very young age from the age that I can remember since around like 8 years old my grandmother would teach me little things like how to skin off of chicken, how to hold a knife, how to cut an onion without your eyes burning and crying. So, it definitely was a process in learning.

K. St. Fort: Was it a difficult process for you to go on “The Chew”?
No, it was not a difficult process to go at all. I actually went there my first time as a guest like an audience member. While I was there one of the Producers were taking people in for a cooking contest that would be featured the day before Super Bowl. Upon being one of the finalists I want the competition and from there the door was open for me, and I walked right in and by the grace of God. And since being on the show, I just allowed my personality and the gifts that God gave me to make way for me and just what with the flow. Funny thing is, I had just quit my job that December before going on “The Chew” because I didn’t like what I was doing and I prayed to God to not allow me to continue a job into a new year that I didn’t like. I knew that my life had no purpose, and that I had a great personality and I knew that I had a purpose to be somewhere else…not behind a cubicle for the rest of my life. Upon making that decision and taking a leap of faith, this door open for me—and here I am.

K. St. Fort: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your cooking?
That it resembled my personality flavorful, fun, bold!

K. St. Fort: Is creating a cookbook part of your plans as a celebrity chef?
Absolutely! One of my goals is to definitely have a cookbook. One of the challenges of being Haitian American Chef who uses other culinary Cuisine tactics is that we don’t write or recipes down so I am learning to overcome that challenge by actually writing my recipes down and “The Chew” definitely gave me a introduction of how to do that and to really just put my thinking into my cooking and actually sharing with other people.

K. St. Fort: Where eating is concerned…If we didn’t have spoons or forks, we probably could make do with our fingers. But when it comes to cooking, what instruments and ingredients can you not do without?
A good knife and fork, and fresh ingredients for my spices like salt, parsley, Italian seasoning, Scotch bonnet peppers, ginger, lemon and olive oil.

K. St. Fort: I was reading about your almond rum cake? Care to share the recipe with us?
[Laughter] I would rather not. Simply because it is a recipe that is unique to me, and I haven’t released the actual dish to the public yet other than close family and friends. But once I do, then maybe I will think about sharing the recipe. Just so you know, the recipe have a lot of secret spices and ingredients that I use to make it perfectly fluffy and very tasty!

Oh!…Now…If the Tahisha Solages were lecturing a class of aspiring chefs right now, what advice would she give to those in the class who aren’t performing well about becoming better?
I would really ask the chef to think hard about their purpose for being here in my class was it forced for them to be there or something that they truly believe that they can become. I will also remind them that life is a journey full of learning. One can never finish learning. However, if you have the foundation of the faith and belief that you can do it then this class will be a life changing experience for you.

Above: Another Tahisha Solages culinary creation.

K. St. Fort: Where do you see yourself taking your career?
A far as God will allow me to go. I am working hard and doing my part to have an inspiring and growing career with each and every opportunity that I get to take hold of I take advantage. I am truly blessed and honored for the opportunities that I have had and for the doors that have opened for me. It was not always easy and it will never be easy or as easy as would want it to be but then again in life nothing good really comes “easy”. I truly believe with faith that one has in God, and with hard work and dedication great things will happen. There will be tests, there will be strong holes, there will be mountains, but overcoming the mountains is priceless. It’s really those experiences that carves us and make us who we are as we are tested. Last year, I was working at a hospital and I always thought I would become a CEO of a hospital being that my studies and my education at St. John’s University was completed in the degree of healthcare administration. I always loved helping people and I will always love helping people and have learned that you can help people in many different facets. I hated my job…where I was….working behind the computer for eight to ten hours sometimes a day…and yes the money was great but again, I didn’t feel like I was living my purpose. [With] hard work, dedication—there’s really no limit as to where one person can go, so I’m really proud of this decision that I made because if I never had to quit my job and left the cubicle I would have never known what was outside that box. I would be limiting myself.

K. St. Fort: So true…
I encourage and mentor many people and I always tell them to go for their dreams. I came to a point in my life where I felt like I was stopping myself with my own words and telling myself to go for my dreams when I was just stuck at a cubicle because I felt that it was making me stable at this job that I had but there’s so much more. I had a hunger to be and to do more than what I was doing. I wanted to live my purpose—not to say that people sitting behind a cubicle and not living their purpose…But I for one didn’t feel like I was. Despite of the belief that you have to become a doctor, or a nurse, lawyer, or engineer to become something in life, I took that leap of faith because I believe God has something great for me. I have no regrets, so my encouragement to everyone reading this interview would be to go for what you love pray about it, and then be about it!

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