01 Roots & NYC Education
From Haiti to Manhattan Kitchens
Duke Estimé was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States as a teenager with his younger brother, Dumond. A 2022 profile by JerseyBites documents the brothers' deep Haitian roots and their lifelong culinary partnership.
His passion began in his mother's bustling kitchen among five siblings, where he learned the art of slow marinades and genuine hospitality. Pursuing formal culinary mastery, he graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City and trained at the legendary The Mark Hotel in Manhattan (documented by Industry Magazine), mastering European precision and luxury kitchen discipline.
✓ Documented: Industry Magazine · JerseyBites Profile
02 Career-Defining Role
Le Malt & The James Beard House (2015)
By 2014–2015, Chef Duke established himself as Executive Chef of Le Malt Lounge in Colonia, NJ. His refined culinary program harmoniously fused French, American, Asian, and Caribbean elements, earning him acclaim in New Jersey’s fine-dining circuit.
On May 12, 2015, Chef Duke reached a historic career milestone when he represented Le Malt as a featured chef at the world-renowned James Beard House in New York City for the Malt Luxury dinner. Preserved in foundation archives and culinary coverage, his menu featured a Haitian djon djon risotto with wild mushroom salad — introducing authentic Haitian heritage to America's most revered gastronomic institution.
✓ Documented: James Beard Foundation Official Chef Archive
03 Restaurateur & Community
From Executive Chef to Restaurateur
In September 2018, Duke and his brother Dumond launched Estime’s Cafe in Colonia, NJ, earning features in Patch.com and MyCentralJersey. The cafe gave Duke an intimate canvas to present vibrant Haitian-American recipes, Caribbean seasonings, and modern American comfort dishes.
In recognition of his cultural and culinary leadership, Chef Duke was honored by Creole Image Honors. He subsequently became Executive Chef and co-creator of Ou La in Carteret, NJ (official 2025 municipal launch), designing a globally infused Caribbean menu featuring Haitian herb-marinated lamb chops.
✓ Documented: Estime's Cafe Meet The Chef · Borough of Carteret · Creole Image Honors
04 The Flagship Brand
Duke’s Steakhouse: Turning the Chef into the Brand
In 2025, Chef Duke unveiled his premier culinary destination: Duke’s Steakhouse in downtown Metuchen, NJ. Transitioning into an establishment bearing his own name, the restaurant centers on hand-cut prime steaks, in-house dry-aging, pristine coastal seafood, and subtle Caribbean flavor accents.
The opening garnered enthusiastic acclaim across New Jersey media. NJ 101.5 reviewed Duke’s Steakhouse, celebrating Chef Duke's personal leadership. Featured also in New Jersey Monthly dining coverage, Duke’s is highlighted as one of the state's most compelling upscale culinary destinations.
✓ Documented: NJ 101.5 · New Jersey Monthly (2026)
