Setting the Table: The Chefs of Best Fest is a storytelling podcast where food becomes the lens for culture, identity, and human connection.

In each episode, host Tay Westbury sits down with the chefs behind Best Fest—exploring not just what they cook, but why they cook. These are conversations about origin, resilience, ambition, and the philosophies that turn a career into a legacy.

In this episode, we meet Wilson Calixte, a chef whose journey spans Haiti, New York City, and ultimately Omaha. Born in Haiti and shaped by the cultural intensity of New York kitchens, Wilson’s path into food wasn’t planned—it was forged through necessity, discipline, and an unshakable drive to build something of his own.

At Le Voltaire, Wilson blends French technique with Haitian roots, creating a dining experience that is as much about connection as it is cuisine. From his signature Haitian spice base to his curated wine labels—each with a personal story—everything he creates is rooted in intention. For Wilson, food is only part of the equation. What matters most is how people feel: welcomed, seen, and at home.

This is more than a conversation about cooking. It’s about perseverance, community, and the belief that success isn’t just what you build—it’s what you leave behind for others to see, follow, and believe is possible.