Meet Jouvens Jean | Chef/Soldier/Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jouvens Jean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jouvens, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is my Haitian heritage. The blood of my ancestors courses through my veins which gives me strength, resiliency and perseverance.

Alright, so let’s move onto how busy have you been professionally?
Few can claim to have come out on the Food Network’s popular show “Chef Wanted” and ended up being the chosen one. Fewer still have also emerged victorious on the same network’s notoriously competitive show, “Cutthroat Kitchen”. He was south out for a third time by the network to battle Bobby Flay on his show “Beat Bobby Flay”. To solidify his champion status, he was crowned the Creole “Chopped” Champion on the same network. Throw in “author Yon Ti Epis, Bahamian born, U.S. raised, Haitian origin, and international travel exposure” and you end up with the recipe of acclaimed celebrity Chef Jouvens Jean.

His experience has allowed him to effortlessly transcend in the culinary industry. He’s open countless restaurants and hotels in a number of countries, he’s taught culinary students in the U.S., China and the Caribbean, he’s won numerous awards and accolades and despite all of his accomplishments he is still able to remain humble. Despite being well versed in a variety of culinary concepts, the food of Haiti plays a central role in his culinary mastery.

Chef Jouvens has become one of Haitian cuisine’s biggest exponents and innovators. This desire to push the cuisine forward is tempered by his profound respect for its principles, and unpretentious nature. He has spearheaded a variety of projects in Haiti, one of which he’s extremely passionate about, The Chef Jouvens Foundation. Concretely the foundation’s primary focus is concentrated on the youths of Haiti. His theory behind creating the foundation is that even if he can’t change the world, he hopes to inspire the mind that will.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend that was visiting and I had to show them around here’s what I would do;

I live in Miami so after dropping their luggage off at my house the first thing I would do would be to check them into the Riviera Hotel on south beach. The riviera host one of the restaurants that I operate on south beach. The Riviera is a beautiful chic boutique hotel which exuberates the Miami vibe.

For the first day I would take them to Chef Creole, Naomi, Piment Bouk, and Belle Fouchet which are some of my favorite Haitian restaurants.

Second day I would take them to the Caribbean Market Place and in little Haiti to give them a touch of Haitian culture.

Third day we would do a south beach culinary tour of Tavern I at the Metropole Hotel, Maxine’s Bistro & Bar, Taco Taco, Mas Cuba at the Riviera Hotel, Tavern II at the Croydon Hotel and Tavern III and the Oceanside Hotel. These are the restaurants that I operate on south beach.

The fourth day I would take them to up to the Fort Lauderdale-ish area. I would take them to Taco Beach Shack in Hollywood which is another restaurant that I operate. I would also take them to Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale which is owned by one of my good friends. I would definitely take them to Red Wood Bar Kitchen in Hollywood which is also owned by chef Ivan Dorvil who is a good friend of mine as well.

The fifth day we would do little Havana, brickell and and Downtown Miami to see the Miami lights.

The sixth day we would do the art scene in both Wynwood and Midtown.

On the seventh day we would take it easy and enjoy the sun, sand and mojitos on the beach itself.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you to my parents for creating a perfect recipe. Me! Thank you to Haiti for giving me purpose, identity and a foundation to stand on.
Thank you to Cristiane Barbosa for being my rock and always supporting me through it all.
Thank you to the culinary industry for giving me a passport to the world and all of its cultures.
Thank you to the U.S. Army for giving me structure.

Website: www.jouvensjean.com

Instagram: @chefjouvens

Linkedin: Jouvens Jean

Facebook: Chef Jouvens

Youtube: Chef Jouvens

Image Credits
Pedro Martinez Darwin Doleyres