By Martine St. Hilaire
Vanessa Joseph’s journey from Haiti to the United States is a tale of personal triumph and cultural and culinary celebration. Having lived in the U.S. for over 20 years, Vanessa’s passion for food has blossomed into a thriving business making waves in the culinary world. The founder of ToutEpis, a Haitian-inspired spice brand, Vanessa has turned her love for flavor into a mission to make cooking accessible, joyful, and flavorful for everyone.
From Haiti to the Spice Rack
Born in Haiti, Vanessa moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education. But while her professional background is rooted in data science and finance, her love for food has always been her true north star. “Food is the best way to bring people together,” she says, adding that her Haitian heritage and global travels have inspired her cooking.
Despite her career in numbers and analysis, Vanessa never lost her love for blending spices and creating unique dishes. She recalls hosting dinner parties as a teen, where feeding others became her way of expressing love. “My passion for food has always been there, guiding me in unexpected ways,” she says.
The Birth of ToutEpis
In 2021, Vanessa took a bold step and founded ToutEpis, a direct-to-consumer brand that offers gourmet spice blends, infused oils, and seasonings. Her vision was to make cooking easier and more flavorful while celebrating Haiti’s rich culinary traditions. ToutEpis is more than just a spice brand — it’s a movement that aims to bring families together over delicious home-cooked meals.
“A lot of people struggle to find the right balance of spices,” Vanessa explains. ToutEpis was created to take the guesswork out of cooking so that novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike can enjoy tasty meals. The brand’s products are versatile and enhance the flavor of everything from meats to vegetables. ToutEpis provides recipes on its company blog to help customers explore new ways to use the spice blends in their cooking.
Challenges on the Road to Success
Like any entrepreneurial journey, the launch of ToutEpis came with its share of challenges — especially balancing the authenticity of Haitian flavors with the need to appeal to a broader, global audience. “I wanted to stay true to Haitian flavors but also make them accessible to everyone,” says Vanessa. Finding suppliers of high-quality, authentic spices was another battle, as was managing the business side of things, from marketing and logistics to customer service.
But resilience, as Vanessa points out, is a key skill for a successful entrepreneur. “You’ll face setbacks, but persistence is key,” she says. Her background in data science and finance may not directly relate to the food industry, but the analytical skills she gained in those fields have helped her manage her business efficiently.
“I wanted to stay true to Haitian flavors but also make them accessible to everyone,” says Vanessa
Spices with a Twist
What sets ToutEpis apart from other spice brands is its unique blend of Haitian tradition and global influences. Vanessa’s travels have exposed her to a wide range of culinary styles she incorporates into her spice blends. Her goal is to make these spices approachable and easy to use for everyone, regardless of their familiarity with Haitian flavors.
Vanessa has a hard time choosing a favorite dish but, when pressed, leans toward Riz Jardiniere (rice with vegetables) and Poulet en Sauce (stewed chicken). To her, these staples of Haitian cuisine bring back comforting memories of family dinners and occupy a special place in her heart.
Building a Community Around Flavor
ToutEpis isn’t just about selling spices. It’s also about building a community of food lovers who appreciate genuine flavors. Vanessa’s best clients are home cooks, parents, and busy professionals who enjoy eating well but don’t always have the time to prepare elaborate meals. ToutEpis offers them a solution — spices that can elevate a simple dish into something extraordinary with minimal effort.
In addition to individual customers, ToutEpis partners with chefs and food bloggers who share Vanessa’s passion for authentic, flavorful cooking. The partnerships have been key to the brand’s growth and visibility.
Looking Ahead: The Future of ToutEpis
In the next three to five years, Vanessa hopes to see the brand grow beyond the U.S. market. She envisions ToutEpis products on the shelves of major grocery stores and online retailers internationally. She also plans to introduce new product lines, including condiments and pre-made marinades, to further simplify the cooking process for her customers.
Vanessa is passionate about giving back to the community and is exploring ways to offer cooking classes, in person and online, to share her love of food and spices. She’s also committed to food education that helps people understand how spices can make healthy, delicious meals more attainable.
“I want to inspire people to cook more at home, eat healthier, and share those moments with their loved ones,” says Vanessa.
In the future, Vanessa hopes to establish a scholarship for aspiring chefs and support organizations that fight food insecurity. “I want to inspire people to cook more at home, eat healthier, and share those moments with their loved ones,” she says. If she can achieve that, she’ll feel she’s made a meaningful difference.
The Joy of Cooking
For Vanessa Joseph, cooking isn’t just a passion but a way of life. Whether she’s developing new spice blends for ToutEpis or hosting a dinner party, her love for food and flavor shines through in everything she does. With ToutEpis, Vanessa is preserving Haiti’s culinary heritage and introducing it to a global audience, one delicious meal at a time.
FOLLOW TOUTEPIS ONLINE
Instagram: @toutepis
TikTok: @toutepis
Facebook Page: ToutEpis
Website: toutepis.com
