Bridging the gap between Food & Community

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Charly Pierre has always aspired to be a chef and a leader since he could remember. Growing in his Haitian household naturally educated him on dishes deeply rooted in the family’s past. By the time Charly graduated high school in Cambridge Massachusetts, he had already ran the line at his restaurant and received a scholarship to Southern New Hampshire University. After graduating and working 5 years in Boston Managing, cooking and serving, it was time for a change. In the fall of 2015 Charly moved to New Orleans, LA. Immediately after moving to NOLA, Charly and business partner Eva Chereches had seen a need for Haitian food in the city and the Fritai stall at the Saint Roch Market was an amazing start. While at the market Charly had created a name for himself. He has held numerous fundraisers for Haiti, received Zagat's 30 under 30, Eater's National Young-guns, and were on numerous T.V appearances including Charly’s winning Food Network's Chopped. At The Saint Roch Charly is cooking the cultural roots of his Haitian past, while adding some twisted dishes to fixate on the locals. During Covid as the St Roch Market slowed down Charly and Eva decided to close the stall and open the Fritai brick and Mortar.  Since then the establishment has been serving awarding winning drink and dish. During Fritai’s first year the restaurant received Louisiana Cookin’s:Chefs to watch, Vogue’s Restaurants of the year, EaterNOLA: Best new restaurant and James beard: Best New Restaurant Nomination.

Apart from food contributing to the community was always a major drive in his work. He has hosted a series of community forums focus on male self awareness in a race and patriarchal driven society. Whether it is through food or conversation Charly’s goal is to bring progress and culture understanding to the forefront of New Orleans