Montreal chef Paul Toussaint says he owes it all to Haiti

Montreal chef and restaurateur Paul Toussaint says he owes it all to his native Haiti and the love of food passed down to him from his family. That everything he has built and done – has its roots in the Caribbean nation.

“Haiti gave me everything to be that person today,” says the now owner of three Montreal eateries, who’s goal of opening up the minds of others through food and helping them discover Haiti is key.

“People think Haitian cuisine is just rice and peas and pork, but it’s not that at all. It’s a long story of cooking, of life also. You don’t learn to cook Haitian cuisine from a book. It’s a story of connection. My family passed me the connection.”

(CREDIT: handout Paul Toussaint)

Although his passion for food was clear as he grew up in Haiti – Toussaint’s path to becoming a chef took some detours. When he moved to Montreal at the age of 19, he came to study law.

“I want to do the law for my father, because he wanted me to be a lawyer. I started doing it, but for me, every time I cook at home, I realize this is what I want to do […] this is where I’m more comfortable. This is my life.”

“In my head, in Canada when it’s -15 or -30 I want something that will wake me up and I can still go to work and I realized that doing law is not something that will not bring me peace. I just need excitement. It’s better to do something I like, something I love, something I want to give my life to.”

And his love for food has blossomed, becoming not only a top chef, but restaurateur.

In 2019 Toussaint opened a kiosk at Time Out Market in downtown Montreal. Showcasing not only Haiti, but the wide range of Caribbean influences he’s had.

That led to the birth of Kamúy, in the summer of 2020, when most people wouldn’t dream of starting something new amid the pandemic – Toussaint forged ahead.

In the fall of 2021, he added Americas BBQ – also at Time Out Market.

And was named Chef of the Year 2021 by Eater Montreal.

(CREDIT: Instagram/@chefpaultoussaint)

(CREDIT: Instagram/@chefpaultoussaint)

“Having the city bringing that back to me, show me I can keep working. Show me that what I do, they recognize it. They feel that I’m doing something great for their culture and for Montreal.”

Toussaint isn’t only all about food – he also an art lover. He turned Kamúy into an open-air gallery to support Caribbean artists.

And giving back is also just as vital to Toussaint. He’s tied closely to the Welcome Hall Mission and Artists For Peace And Justice.

He’s all about helping people, bringing them in, and feeding them – it’s how he shows his love.

“I want to be Haitian and you go in my house, when come in this restaurant, you feel this is the Caribbean, this is the vibe, this is my life. That is what I want to do.”