Meet September Grant Winner: Nadège Fleurimond

What inspired you to launch BunNan, and what personal or professional experiences shaped your mission?

BunNan was born from my desire to create a space that honors Haitian and Caribbean culture through food, storytelling, and community. Growing up Haitian, food was always more than a meal; it was a connection. Professionally, after years of cooking, writing, and advocating for Haitian cuisine, I realized there weren’t enough places where our food and culture were celebrated on our own terms. BunNan became my way to change that and build a home where our flavors, our people, and our stories are centered and uplifted.

What inspired you to center your concept around plantains, and how did that evolve into a full cultural hub?

Plantains are one of the most beloved ingredients across the Caribbean and the African diaspora. They’re humble, versatile, and deeply familiar. They are the perfect starting point for a concept meant to connect people. Once we opened, BunNan naturally evolved into something bigger. Guests came not just for the food but for the feeling, the hospitality, the music, the conversations, and the pride. Plantains became an anchor for a larger cultural experience, and BunNan grew into a hub where people gather, learn, celebrate, and see themselves reflected.

How are you using BunNan to shift the narrative and bring this food to the forefront?

By elevating plantains and Haitian flavors in a fast-casual, modern way, we challenge outdated perceptions about Caribbean food. BunNan is intentional. From the menu and branding to the collaborations we create, we show that our cuisine is not only delicious but innovative, diverse, and worthy of mainstream attention. Every dish, every event, and every story we share pushes our culture further into the spotlight where it belongs.

Can you tell us more about your approach to workforce development—and why it matters?

Workforce development is central to BunNan. Many of the people we hire come from our own community, and I see BunNan as a platform to help them grow not just in a job, but in life. We focus on training, personal development, leadership building, and giving staff real responsibilities that help them build skills beyond the kitchen. When our team grows, our community grows. Creating economic pathways for Haitian, Brooklynites, and immigrant workers is just as important to our mission as the food we serve.

How will winning the Chasm grant help streamline your operations and support your team as you grow?

The Chasm grant allows us to strengthen the backbone of our business. With these funds, we’ll be able to implement better systems, improve equipment, enhance training, and streamline our operations so the team can work more efficiently and with less stress. It also gives us the capacity to plan for growth. From expanding our menu to building out our cultural programming. Ultimately, the grant helps us create a stronger, more sustainable workplace for our staff.

What’s been one of the most meaningful moments since starting BunNan—one of those “this is why I do this” memories?

One of the moments that stays with me is seeing Haitian elders come into BunNan and light up because the space feels like home. Many have told me, “Thank you for making something for us,” or “I never thought I’d see our food celebrated like this.” Another has been from one of our young staff members saying, “Thank you for showing me there are other opportunities out there beyond what I knew.” Those moments remind me why I do this. BunNan isn’t just a restaurant, it's an affirmation. It’s pride. It’s a love letter to our people.

Fill in the blank: “Food is __________.”

Food is home. It carries memory, identity, resilience, joy, and community. It’s the way we share who we are with the world.