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Diri Kole, Kabrit Nan Sos - Time for a change

In every single Haitian restaurant you go to, they have the same dishes: Diri Kole.. Kabrit nan Sos...

Updated October 2, 2012 3:29 PM


caribbean food

If you have a business in the Haitian community or if you plan to open a business in the Haitian community, there is something very important you need to know.

A Name is a very important thing!

A name can make or kill a business!

If you want to start a business...

  • Name your business appropriately.
  • Name all your products appropriately.
  • Stop using the same product name that everyone else is using.

Why do Haitians still use the basic ingredient name that makes up a product to name the product?

  • Diri ak pwa
  • Diri kole
  • Didi ak djondjon
  • Diri blan, sos pwa nwa
  • Poison nan sos
  • pwason gwo sel

The name makes it sound little, it makes it sound simple, it makes it plain.

That's is probably why and Haitian Restaurant is a "Plain" Haitian business that will never be categorized as "Fancy" as long as they keep serving "DIRI KOLE".

Somebody needs to give "DIRI KOLE" a dish birth certificate and a legitimate name.

and for your information, DIRI KOLE is not even a dish, it is a category if dishes.

Examples:

  • Diri kole pwa nwa
  • Diri kile pwa wouj
  • Diri kole pwa vet
  • etc...

Is this boring or what?

Also,

because the names specifically defines the ingredients in the product, we are then limited to creating products that we can describe.

In other words, there is no room for creativity. Either you sell "diri Blanc" or your sell "diri kole"

In the mean time, some American restaurant businesses have cornered the American market just with a name. We can do that too!

Here are some basic examples:

Anyone can make a Hamburger and sell it but guess what?

  • If you want a Big Mac, you have to go to McDonald's.
  • If you want a Whopper, you have to go to Burger King.

They are both hamburgers but they not the same. What if they called it the McDonald's hamburger?

This is what you call branding.

You take something that anyone can make, you give it your own taste, your own flavor, but most importantly you have to give it your own name.

Why does your restaurant sell "diri kole" and "diri blan" when your customer can buy it anywhere?

If you give it a general name, why should they come back to your restaurant to buy more if it?

If a car is just a car, then answer these questions for me...

  • What is a Bens?
  • What is a Beamer?
  • What is an Escalade?
  • What is your favorite car?

All you have to do is tell me the make and model and I will know exactly what you are talking about.

What is your favorite Haitian dish? Good luck explaining that to me!

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All Comments (10)

Tonia says...

Hi Obed you make a good point too but 2 spelling errors tought and appriciate the correct spelling tHought and apprEciate.

Woodring I've always wondered about these same points you make. Hopefully business owners will read this and take it as constructive critcism.

It would also help if the Haitian community believed in boycotts and sit-ins. If the business has bad customer service but is still making money there is no motivation to improve if they start losing customers and care to ask why then they would understand.Keep up the good work with the articles/commentary about improving

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Mizeliah says...

I understand you want some change in our people that's a good thing but you forget something, most of these people, if not all of them, did not receive a training on how to be a chef they just have a so call business.

In order to name the dish you have to be creative, have some people try the sample, evaluate the critics and make necessary corection then you can put yor signature in it, but like I said "diri kole, diri blanc, ect they don't care about anything but to make a few bocks quick.

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Lyndah101 says...

I highly disagree wit the writer of this article because it not only makes your people sound bad but it also makes the food sound bad. I don't understand why Haitians always like to knock another Haitians hustle.

If that is the only name the person knows then what could they possibly do you cant put it in English because it only sounds dumb but if that person was brought up using that term for their food i don't see why it should be such a

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Topic says...

My name is Eline age 14 and I am a Haitian american, I think there should be changes in how people critize us. After all we a re the one's who fought for our freedom first and had all the other caribbean nations following us to their independence.

I also think that there is a great number of Haitians who regret being Haitians and I think that should stop. We should learn to help each other and trust each other.

Reply  ... More

Topic says...

My name is Eline age 14 and I am a Haitian american, I think there should be changes in how people critize us. After all we a re the one's who fought for our freedom first and had all the other cariddiean nations following us to their independence.

I also think that there is a great number of Haitians who regret being Haitians and I think that should stop. We should learn to help each other and trust each other.

Reply  ... More

Topic says...

How to make Plain fried

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Topic says...

I believe you are right on the money regarding the naming conventions of our foods.

For the longest time I felt that Haitians underscore the value of their own cuisine.

We all know Ti Marche' or as you put the Diri avec poire, etc...

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Topic says...

Mr., I do not know you but you're a funny person for coming up with these
questions.

Nevertheless, I will input my opinion into this matter.

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Topic says...

thank you for bringing the mistakes to my attention.

Because I am the one editing my own articles, that makes it hard to make corrections.

you tend to read what you thought you said instead of what's in the paper.

Reply  ... More

Topic says...

hello woodring! i like your articles.

two spelling errors plane and explane.

the correct spelling is PLAIN and EXPLAIN.

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