Marie Michele Destil
Chef • Author • Entrepreneur • Community Advocate • Cultural Storyteller
Marie Michele Destil is the founder of PRESERV, a platform dedicated to preserving Haitian culture through food, storytelling, experiences, products, and community.
A first generation Haitian American, Marie Michele has spent her life building bridges between generations, using food as a powerful tool for connection, education, and cultural preservation. Through her work, she transforms recipes into stories, meals into experiences, and traditions into living legacies.
She is the owner of Gingerbites Haitian Bistro, one of Long Island’s most celebrated Haitian restaurants, recognized by Newsday Top 100 Restaurants, News 12 Restaurant Hunter, Feed Me Magazine, and I LOVE NY.
Marie Michele is also the Founder and President of Haitian Ladies of Long Island (HLLI), an organization committed to empowering women, fostering meaningful connections, and building lasting memories through cultural, educational, and social experiences.
As the author of PRESERV: A Culinary Quest of Haitian Roots & Resilience, Marie Michele documents the stories, traditions, and recipes that have shaped generations of Haitian families. Her work extends beyond the page through Taste the Story, book talks, cultural workshops, speaking engagements, and immersive culinary experiences designed to celebrate and preserve Haitian heritage.
Founder of Gingerbites Haitian Caribbean Bistro
Founder & President of Haitian Ladies of Long Island
Author of PRESERV: A Culinary Quest of Haitian Roots & Resilience
Speaker
Cultural educator
A passionate world traveler, Marie Michele draws inspiration from the people, cultures, flavors, and traditions she encounters around the globe. Her travels continue to deepen her appreciation for cultural preservation and the universal power of food to bring people together. Whether through a meal, a book, a product, or a shared experience, Marie Michele’s mission remains the same: To preserve our stories, celebrate our heritage, and inspire future generations to remain connected to their roots.
Why PRESERV?
PRESERV was born from a deeply personal journey.
I left Haiti when I was very young and never had the opportunity to return. Over the years, the memories I carried from childhood became increasingly precious to me.
Through food, those memories stayed alive.
The recipes, traditions, conversations, and family moments I remembered became a way to reconnect with my roots, my culture, and the people who helped shape me.
What began as a desire to preserve recipes became something much larger. It became a way to preserve stories, culture, resilience, and identity.
Today, PRESERV serves as a bridge between food, storytelling, education, community, and cultural heritage.
Featured In
- Newsday Top 100 Long Island Restaurants
- Top 10 Caribbean Restaurants on Long Island
- News 12 Restaurant Hunter
- I LOVE NY
- Community Cultural Programs & Literary Events
The Mission Behind PRESERV
PRESERV is more than a book, product collection, or cultural experience.
It is a platform dedicated to preserving the memories, traditions, stories, and resilience that shape who we are.
Through books, culinary experiences, educational programs, community initiatives, and cultural storytelling, PRESERV creates opportunities for people to connect with their heritage, learn from one another, and celebrate the traditions that bring us together.
Marie Michele Destil
Founder, PRESERV
Owner, Gingerbites Haitian Caribbean Bistro
President, Haitian Ladies of Long Island (HLLI)
The PRESERV Ecosystem
PRESERV is built around four core pillars:
Books
Sharing stories, culture, recipes, and personal experiences through meaningful publications.
Experiences
Creating immersive cultural and culinary programs that bring people together through food and storytelling.
Collections
Offering heritage-inspired products that celebrate authentic flavors and traditions.
Community
Building connections through educational programs, cultural events, partnerships, and outreach initiatives.
Book an appoinment with Marie Michele
730 E Jericho Tpke 730 E Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station, NY 11746, USA