Chef Lea Cannonier – Kingdom-Made Chef & Culinary Storyteller

Lea Cannonier is a passionate kingdom-made chef and the visionary behind Muriel’s Trinidadian-American Cuisine—a culinary experience rooted in heritage, flavor, and heart. Born and raised in the vibrant traditions of Trinidad, Lea’s love for food was ignited in her mother, Jennifer’s kitchen, who often told stories of her grandmother, Muriel’s recipes. This was where rich aromas and soul-warming dishes brought family and friends together.

With no formal culinary school training, Lea forged her path through lots of prayer, determination, daily practice, and a deep respect for her culture’s diverse influences—African, East Indian, Chinese, Creole, and more. Her dishes blend the bold spices of Trinidad with comforting Southern American flavors, creating a menu that feels both nostalgic and new.

Before stepping into her culinary calling full-time, Lea spent over 20 years in customer service, inventory management, shipping and receiving, and office administration in the oil and gas industry. Her ability to lead, organize, and execute complex projects now fuels the backbone of her business.

Every meal Lea creates is a love letter to her roots and a celebration of overcoming some of life’s hardest lessons. Whether she’s serving up curry chicken and buss-up-shut, or smothered potatoes with a sorrel drink, her mission is simple: to feed people well—spiritually, with food, with culture, and with care.

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Meet Chef Lea Cannonier, MBA.

Founder of Muriel’s Trinidadian-American Cuisine. A self-made chef blending the spice of Trinidad with the soul of Southern cooking—creating experiences that nourish both body and spirit.