Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a celebration—it’s a movement honoring culture, community, and the trailblazers shaping the future with their creativity and passion. And in the world of food, Yesenia Ramdass, founder of Healthy As A Motha (HAAM), embodies all of that.
HAAM is not your typical restaurant. It’s where traditional Latin flavors meet modern, health-conscious innovation, creating dishes that honor cultural roots while nourishing the body and soul. We spoke with Yesenia to dive deep into how she’s transforming plant-based cuisine, uplifting her community, and building a movement, one bite at a time.
From Personal Transformation to Community Impact
“HAAM was born out of both personal transformation and profound loss,” Yesenia shares. Her journey began at 17 when she discovered a book that completely changed her relationship with food. “Coming from a community where vegetarianism and veganism weren’t even part of the conversation, it was like being handed a map to a world I never knew existed,” she recalls. That moment sparked her decision to stop eating meat and explore ancestral wellness, nutrition, and plant-based living.
Years later, Yesenia’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, passing away in 2018. “Her passing lit a fire in me,” she explains. “I realized my community lacked access to health education and proper nutrition. I wanted to bridge that gap.”
Her early efforts included a blog with provocative titles like “The Influence of the White Coat” and “Shame in Aspartame”, alongside a YouTube channel offering reimagined, healthier versions of the dishes she grew up with. When the pandemic hit, she began cooking at home for her three children and sharing recipes on Instagram. Feedback was immediate: “I wish I could try your food!” and “That looks amazing!”
Encouraged by her husband, Yesenia took the leap. She bought a tent and table on Amazon for her first pop-up—and sold out. “Complete strangers were eating my food and loving it. That moment changed everything,” she recalls. Weeks later, after being laid off, she made a bold choice: instead of finding another job, she invested in herself, doing pop-ups across NYC, building what would become Healthy As A Motha.
The Name With NYC Swag
Yesenia wanted her restaurant’s name to reflect personality, culture, and a nod to the women who taught her to cook. “Healthy As A Motha is funny, it sparks curiosity, and it honors my mom and mother-in-law. Everything I know started in their kitchens, and now I get to carry that forward in my own way,” she says.
The name itself became a statement: health-forward, bold, and unapologetically rooted in culture.
Turning a Concept Into a Culinary Movement
Opening a restaurant was never part of a grand plan—it grew organically from the community’s needs. “People told me over and over that there was no place to get plant-based food that felt culturally relevant, with our flavors, our soul, our seasoning,” Yesenia explains.
After her layoff, she rented a commercial kitchen and dove into the logistics of running a business—from health inspections and order fulfillment to plating and packaging. “The first three years were humbling and intense. I’ve never worked harder,” she says. Despite doubts and challenges, her passion, purpose, and her mother’s influence kept her going.
When it came to opening a brick-and-mortar location, Yesenia refused the easy route of fast-casual dining. “I wanted a space that felt elevated, sexy, and sophisticated—a place that presented Caribbean cuisine in a way people aren’t used to seeing,” she explains. From permits and contractors to design and hiring, every step was a challenge—but she succeeded. Today, HAAM isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a movement celebrating culture, wellness, and community.
A Menu That Feeds the Soul
HAAM’s menu reflects Yesenia’s mission: plant-based dishes that honor traditional Latin flavors while embracing health-conscious innovation. Signature offerings transform comfort foods into vibrant, nourishing meals. From Latin-inspired bowls to reimagined classics, each dish tells a story of culture, love, and wellness.
The restaurant also functions as a community hub, offering workshops, cooking classes, and nutrition education aimed at inspiring the next generation to embrace health without losing their cultural identity. “It’s about more than food,” Yesenia notes. “It’s about healing, educating, and building a community around wellness.”
Building a Legacy
Yesenia’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of staying true to your roots while innovating. Healthy As A Motha has become more than a culinary brand—it’s a platform that uplifts her community, celebrates Hispanic heritage, and proves that healthy food can be bold, flavorful, and soulful.
As she continues expanding HAAM’s presence, Yesenia hopes to inspire others to take risks, honor their culture, and redefine what it means to eat well. “I want people to leave HAAM not just full, but inspired,” she says.
What’s Next?
With plans to grow her brand beyond NYC, Yesenia is looking at partnerships, community initiatives, and maybe even a cookbook that fuses health-forward cooking with Latin heritage. For now, she’s focused on making every dish count, keeping her community fed, inspired, and connected.
What are your thoughts on Healthy As A Motha? Drop a comment below and stay tuned for more exclusive updates on Yesenia Ramdass and her culinary movement!
