Sample some bites of Kreyol culture at Taste of Haiti

The Taste of Haiti festival showcases Haitian cuisine, life and heritage, celebrating the Haitian presence in Central Florida and inviting anyone who is unfamiliar with the island to “discover, experience, live and love the Haitian culture.” Hosted by Modernique Events and Taste of Haiti Orlando, the event is a fundraiser for a hospitality education program in Haiti and the United States run by the Haitian Culinary Alliance (HCA). Taste of Haiti comes right on the heels of the May 22 decision by the Trump administration to only temporarily extend protected status for 50,000 Haitian hotel and theme park workers to stay in Florida. In just six months, these workers face potential deportation to a country grappling with hunger and housing crises, with little to no job opportunities. HCA President Stephen Durand and other culinary leaders aim to broaden Haiti’s image through tourism and gastronomy, and advocates for workers to put pressure on President Trump to support Haitians in Florida who contribute to both the American and Haitian economies. This festival showcases the soul of Haiti through food, live music, poetry, performances and competitions, providing a chance to appreciate what exactly makes the Haitian culture unique.

2-8 p.m. Saturday, June 3 | Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 S. Orange Ave. | facebook.com/tasteofhaitiorlando | free-$10