My first hibiscus bloom

The first bloom of my hibiscus reminds me that—everything begins with a seed, a name, a story. 

Nzeba Table wasn’t just created; it was called into existence. It carries the weight of heritage, resilience, and the quiet question we all ask: What will I leave behind? 

This is the story of a name, a calling, and the fire that still fuels every bite. 

This reflection is for you if: 

• You’ve ever wondered what legacy truly means. 
• You believe food is more than a meal—it’s memory, healing, and belonging. 
• You’re curious how one woman’s journey through leadership, family, and faith became a brand. 

My First Bloom 

If you’ve read my first reflection, No More Regrets: Claiming My Worth, you already know— Nzeba Table began with a simple but terrifying act: I finally bet on myself. 

But, what you may not know is that this leap wasn’t spontaneous. It was years in the making, planted in me long before I ever opened my kitchen doors. 

This is the continuation of that story—the unveiling of the name, the calling, and the quiet force that has fueled every recipe, every market day, and every moment since. 

A Journey Beyond the First Step

A portrait of me in Chiang Mai, 2024

When I first shared my story last year, it was about courage—the day I stood behind a farm stand, hands trembling but heart wide open. That day marked a turning point;: I stopped shrinking myself and chose to stand in my worth. 

But, what I didn’t share then was what had been quietly simmering beneath that moment—the deeper roots of who I am, where I come from, and why I built Nzeba Table. 

The name you see on every jar and label isn’t just branding—it’s a living thread woven from family, culture, faith, and the countless women who came before me. 

 

The Name That Chose Me 

I didn’t choose the name Nzeba—it chose me. 

In Congolese tradition, names are never random. They carry weight, memory, and responsibility. Nzeba was the name of my mother’s aunt—a woman of quiet strength and fierce grace. She wasn’t famous. She didn’t seek applause, but she shaped the lives around her with discipline, kindness, and unwavering purpose. 

When it came time to name this brand, I didn’t look for something trendy or poetic. I looked for something true. 

I chose Nzeba because it reminded me of the women who built without asking permission. The women who carried others without complaint. The women who knew that legacy is not loud— it’s lived. 

Nzeba Table is their table. 

A table without borders. A place where food meets healing, heritage, and home. 

This name is more than letters stitched onto a label. It’s a promise to honor where I come from, to lead with love and intention, and to invite others to the table—not just to eat, but to belong.

My mom & Me

The Preparation: More Than Cooking 

Before the pastries, soups, and teas, there was preparation of another kind. It didn’t begin in a kitchen,. iIt began in corporate dining rooms across the dDeep South. , Dduring one of my leadership assignments—where I led teams, restructured businesses, and navigated the pressures of being the first Black woman in my position. 

Every challenge sharpened me. Every setback prepared me to lead something of my own. 

I left that world carrying more than business skills—I left with a blueprint for a new kind of leadership. 

One rooted in nourishment, culture, and community.

The Fire Behind the Flame 

Nzeba Table isn’t just a food business—it’s a purpose that called me long before I knew it. It’s the work I couldn’t ignore once I understood my roots, my story, and why they matter. 

Every product we create—whether it’s a flaky pâté, a jar of Épis, or a bowl of Wellness Soup— began with one simple question: What do I want to pass on? 

The answer was never about chasing trends or profit. It was about nourishment, dignity, and honoring the flavors that shaped me. It was about preserving the taste of home, of culture, of resilience, and making it accessible to anyone willing to experience it. 

At Nzeba Table, we bring you more than food. We bring a heritage of Creole comfort, crafted through our Haitian-fusion brand and made with intention. Every bite carries a story, a tradition, and the fire behind the flame.

Our gathering table from the fall

Why This Menu? Why Now?

At Nzeba Table, we follow a farm-to-table approach because food should be real, rooted, and responsible.

This spring, Nzeba Table will bloom again too—at the Croom Farmers Market and, for the first time, at the Bowie Farmers Market. 

But, this isn’t just about pastries or jars on a table. 

Every product we prepare carries a piece of that first whisper, the same one that called me to step into my worth. 

When you visit us this season, you’ll find more than food—you’ll find a continuation of a story, a taste of resilience, a celebration of culture made with care.

Our flaky roasted vegetable “Pâté” 

Here’s what’s waiting for you at our table: 

Flaky Pâtés — Our signature puff pastry: golden, delicate, and unapologetically Creole. Each one filled with bold, delicious flavors that bridge tradition and innovation—the true taste of Haitian-fusion in every bite. 

The Wellness Soup Collection — Slow-simmered, rich, and nourishing. Crafted with fresh herbs, healing ingredients, and Creole comfort in every spoonful. From our creamy (yet cream-free) chicken soup to our hearty black bean soup, each bowl is a story of resilience. 

And this year, more flavors are on the way—because at Nzeba Table, the pot is always simmering, and the story keeps unfolding. 

Curated Wellness Teas — Blends of healing herbs and island soul, crafted to nourish and soothe. 

Épis Herbal Marinades & Flavor Enhancers — A staple of our kitchen and our culture, infused with fresh herbs and spices to bring any dish to life. 

Our Famous Pikliz — A fermented, crunchy, fiery sidekick—spicy enough to wake your senses, healing enough to fuel your gut. 

Sweets Collection — From buttery puff pastries to cassava crisps, each dessert carries the aroma of home and the sweetness of remembrance. 

Our product line

The Spring Awakening Begins This May 

Croom Community Market — Opening Day: Saturday, May 4, 2025 

Bowie Farmers Market — First Season Launch: Sunday, May 18, 2025 

This May, as the days grow warmer and the earth stretches back to life, Nzeba Table will return to the community that welcomed us from the very beginning. 

We’ll be back at the Croom Community Market and stepping into a new season at the Bowie Farmers Market—two places where stories, flavors, and neighbors gather. 

To celebrate this season of new beginnings, we’re offering a little something special—a way to say thank you for being part of this journey: 

✨ 15% off when you gather any three of your favorite Nzeba Table creations 

✨ Free local delivery on orders over $65 (PG County only, deliveries on Wednesdays) 

This isn’t just a promotion—it’s an invitation. A chance to fill your kitchen with real, rooted flavors made with care. 

At Nzeba Table, every dish, every jar, every pastry is crafted with one purpose: to nourish, to connect, to remind you that you belong.

Come find us, taste our story, and pull up a chair. There’s always room at this table.

Epis (Herbal Marinade) & Pikliz

For the Woman Who Still Listen to the Whisper 

And if you’ve made it this far—reading about names, legacy, and why I built Nzeba Table—then maybe there’s a part of you still holding back. 

Maybe you too; have heard the whisper but wondered if anyone would care, or if your story mattered enough. 

I’ve been there. I almost walked away from this dream more times than I can count, worried about what others might think, how I’d be seen, or whether I’d fail publicly. 

But, here’s something I’ve learned along the way, a simple truth that still helps me quiet the noise: 

“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” 

— Eleanor Roosevelt 

The truth is most people are too busy carrying their own fears to judge yours. 

So, listen to the whisper. Follow the thing that’s been quietly waiting inside you. 

 

That’s how Nzeba Table began. That’s how all beautiful things begin.

 

Stay Close to the Table 

If this message resonates, I invite you to join our circle. Our blog, our newsletter, and our table were created with you in mind. 

[Join the Nzeba Table Letters]

You’ll receive: 

• Recipes and wellness stories 
• Early access to product launches 
• Notes from my kitchen and my heart 

 

This isn’t just a mailing list. It’s an open table, and there’s always something meaningful to discover here. Join us as we welcome the new season: 

 

 

By Nzeba Table, a Haitian Fusion Food Brand 

Creole Comfort | Curated Ingredients