Growing up in Haiti, Izadora Theodore watched her mother work as a chef and caterer for different events and wanted to follow in her footsteps. This dream was realized in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she began to fix food plates for her loved ones when they would become sick. Since many of Theodore’s friends had not tasted her food; they were amazed at how delicious her meals were and began encouraging her to start selling her food plates.

Little by little, Theodore began to sell her food plates at different events and asked promoters to book her if they enjoyed their food, which gradually built her catering business — Izzy’s Fusion. Her food is a “blend [of her] Caribbean roots with global influences — crafting bold, flavorful dishes.”

Theodore said some of the fan favorites she cooks include Haitian black rice, Haitian mac and cheese and Haitian fusion egg rolls. Theodore also offers pescatarian, vegan and vegetarian options.

“That’s why I call it Izzy’s Fusion. Fusion just [has] multiple things. I don’t only focus on just Haitian, but my [base] of my food — the things that I utilize — is Haitian culture. I utilize it and I add it to different cultures. So, I have a little thing for everyone.”

For community members who have not had the opportunity to try her food, she recommends the Haitian black rice, but if they’re allergic to mushrooms, she recommends the red bean and rice, her fusion chicken wings and her loaded pasta, which includes pasta, meat, pickles on top and her fusion sauce.

Her business also offers meal prep packages, which include protein, veggie and a carb of choice. Five meals cost $145, seven cost $175 and 10 cost $200. All meals must be purchased 48 hours in advance.

Theodore talked about what she sees next for her catering business in this new year.

“We were working on getting a commercial kitchen, so we are going to be getting [one], hopefully, by next month. We will be located in Taunton, so right now we just continue to push with catering and we will be selling plates every Friday and Saturday,” she said.

Theodore also said that she is collaborating with other chefs to host events, such as food tasting — along with looking at opening a location later in the future.

Theodore said it is important to have diverse food spaces where community members can get a taste of other cultures, like her business.

“I would say first and foremost, food, it’s literally a universal language,” she said. “No matter where you go, you will find food everywhere. So, with me, I try to dibble and dabble into each culture, like I would do Haitian food. I’ll do Asian. I’ll do Jamaican food. I’ll do American food. I try to have some things for everyone.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more at izzysfusion.com