An Manje Pre-Launch Celebration!
The screening area before attendees arrived at Mayday Space.
It was a full house on December 8th, 2023 for the pre-launch of our anthological curriculum An Manje: A Celebration of Haitian Foodways!
The evening included a screening of contributor Shana Jeanott-Thomas’ 3-Part video and recipe series An Manje: A Culinary Flight to Haiti (that will be released as apart of the anthological curriculum in January along with the book); food catered by local Haitian chef Lorsk Jean-Charles; and music by DJ I Am Shy alongside a live painting by local Haitian artist Isaihrine and Dominican artist Clarivel Ruuiz of Dominicans Love Haitians.
Scroll down to check out some scenes from the night, photographed by Alexx Caceres.
If you’d like to get your hands on the multimedia anthology pre-order your copy here.
Daphne Brunache preparing to welcome attendees for the evening!!
Attendees beginning to arrive prior to the evening’s screening and meal.
Deep Routes founder and lead steward of the An Manje project, Maya Marie, hostess of the evening. Here she’s getting ready to introduce the sneak peek preview of contributor Shana Jeanott-Thomas’ 3-Part piece An Manje: A Culinary Flight to Haiti.
Beginning the screening of An Manje: A Culinary Flight to Haiti.
A scene with Chef Vanessa Coquillo from An Manje: A Culinary Flight to Haiti.
A Q&A discussion with Chef Vanessa Coquillo and Shana Jeanott-Thomas following the screening.
Chef Vanessa Coquillo and Shana Jeanott-Thomas responding to questions.
Audience members shared their questions and comments following the screening. Here farmer, artist, activist Isa Jamira is asking Chef Vanessa Coquillo about how to approach learning how to cook Haitian food as someone in the Haitian diaspora when it can be intimidating.
An Manje contributor Chef Cybille St. Aude-Tate sharing a bit about her pieces and the process to make them. Project steward Maya is blushing in the background from some of what Cybille shared.
An Manje Contributor Merelis Catalina Ortiz reading a bit of her piece and sharing her intentions in creating it. Contributor/Producer Shana Jeanott-Thomas and featured guest Vanessa Coquillo listening in the foreground.
Attendees/Volunteers getting ready to serve up food to folks! (from left: Amara Ullauri, Shalonda Hackett, Saka Gupta, and Mare Clover)
Folks regathering at the tables after getting served their food.
Clarivel Ruiz of Dominicans Love Haitians also joined during the event!
Haitian artist, Isaihrine, doing a live painting during the event.
Ashia Aubourg (food writer, founder of Nourished Palate and the An Manje OG/former co-steward) with Maya.
Gift bag goodies for our attendees at the close of the event.
