We recently had the chance to connect with Christian Dominique and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Christian, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually wake up around 5:50 AM and head straight to the kitchen. I’m particular about my coffee, so I weigh out the beans and pull a double shot of espresso. I also prep my wife’s coffee so it’s ready at the push of a button when she gets up. I take that first hour to myself — sipping my coffee, catching up on emails, placing any last-minute orders for the restaurant, checking in with the prep team, and staying updated on the news. Around 7:00 AM, I shift into dad mode and wake up my three kids to get them ready for school. Once they’re set, I take a few minutes to get myself ready before heading out for school drop-offs. I’m usually at the office between 8:45 and 9:00 AM.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Christian Dominique, and I’m the founder of Manjay, a Caribbean-inspired fast-casual restaurant based in Miami. Our mission is to bring the vibrant flavors and soul of Caribbean cuisine to the mainstream in a way that’s approachable, modern, and rooted in culture.
What makes Manjay special is that we don’t just serve food — we share stories, memories, and traditions through every bite. Our menu blends bold island spices with high-quality ingredients, and we focus on hospitality that feels like home.
As someone born and raised in Haiti, it’s important for me to represent the richness of Caribbean culture in a way that’s both authentic and accessible. Right now, we’re working on expanding our reach through meal subscriptions, curated products like our signature aiolis and spice blends, and pop-up collaborations that highlight Caribbean excellence.
At the heart of it all, my goal is to make Caribbean food as loved and recognized as Italian or Chinese — something people crave, trust, and go back to time and time again.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was living with undiagnosed ADHD — at the time, there wasn’t much awareness or research around it, especially where I grew up. I spent my early school years in a French academic system that didn’t align well with my personality or learning style. I was often labeled as a troublemaker or a poor student, even though I was kind, respectful, and simply full of energy and impulsiveness I couldn’t quite control. That label stuck with me for years, and I genuinely believed I wouldn’t be able to achieve much in life.
It wasn’t until university that I was formally diagnosed with ADHD, but the shift started earlier when I moved to an American school system. There, I began to do better academically and started building confidence. I tapped into my creativity — something that had always been there but hadn’t been nurtured.
Looking back, I no longer believe I’m limited by how others perceive me or by any challenge placed in my path. I’ve learned that the only thing we can truly control in life is ourselves — our mindset, our response, our effort. Everything else unfolds the way it’s meant to. And if you stay true to who you are and keep pushing forward, you’ll get to where you’re meant to be.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has shown me a level of strength I didn’t know I had. It’s also taught me the truth behind what might seem like a cliché: this too shall pass. In the middle of a crisis, it often feels like the world is collapsing — like there’s no way out. But life is a series of seasons. Just as the good times come and go, so do the hard ones. The tough moments are often the hardest to accept, but they’re where the deepest growth happens. Success is rewarding, but it’s in the struggle that you really learn who you are and what you’re capable of overcoming.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Not exactly. I’m naturally an introvert — I don’t enjoy big crowds, loud environments, or being the center of attention. So when I’m in public settings, I often come across as quiet or even a little awkward, hanging off to the side. But behind the scenes, I’m actually a pretty funny and playful person. I love cracking jokes, pulling lighthearted pranks, and finding humor in everyday situations. I don’t take life too seriously — I’d much rather laugh something off and keep it moving than dwell on it. I think that’s one of the unique traits that comes with ADHD — my mind tends to move on quickly and reframe things in a way that’s often comical rather than dramatic. So no, the public version of me doesn’t always reflect who I really am — but the people close to me definitely get to see that side.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
What I’m doing with Manjay today is laying the groundwork for something much bigger — a long-term vision of bringing Caribbean cuisine into the mainstream culinary conversation. My goal is for Caribbean food to be recognized globally, not as a niche or regional curiosity, but as a staple, just like Italian or Chinese cuisine.
Given the relatively small size of our individual nations, it can be hard for our culinary culture to break through on a global scale. But I believe that by combining our strengths and showcasing the richness of our collective flavors, we have the potential to become one of the world’s most celebrated food categories.
At Manjay, I’m curating some of the Caribbean’s most beloved dishes and presenting them in a fresh, approachable way — essentially “de-niching” the cuisine so it can reach a broader audience. My menu is designed to evolve over time, because growth and adaptation are key to keeping the vision alive. It’s a long journey that requires education, collaboration, and time, but I truly believe it’s a movement worth investing in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.manjayrestaurant.com
- Instagram: @manjayrestaurant
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-dominique
- Twitter: manjaycaribbean
