What began as a Parisian bistro inspired by her upbringing in the City of Love has evolved into one of Miami’s fastest-growing Latin culinary empires. And at the center of it is self-taught restaurateur Kathia Joseph – the woman who does it all and Legacy Magazine’s Women’s issue honoree.

As founder and co-owner of the Matilda Hospitality Group, Joseph has become one of Miami Beach’s most buzzed-about restaurateurs. Her three concepts, the celebrated Casa Matilda Steakhouse, Matilda’s Kitchen, and Matilda’s Taco Bar, have attracted everyone from 50 Cent to Fabolous to Rick Ross, transforming South of Fifth into a destination for elevated Latin dining.

“I love hospitality. I love people,” Joseph said. “And I think when you love something, you’re going to make sure it happens.”

Born in Haiti and raised in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, Joseph moved to Miami a decade ago. In 2019, she opened Blue Paris, a French bistro that reflected her roots. But the strategic pivot that defined her success came when she recognized Miami’s appetite for Latin cuisine and the cultural overlap between Haitian, Caribbean and Latin cuisines.

“Rice, beans, tostones – a lot of items you find on Haitian food, you’re going to find on Mexican food, Cuban food,” Joseph explains. When Blue Paris became Matilda’s Kitchen in 2021, the Cuban comfort food concept validated her instinct. In March, the upscale anchor of her portfolio, Casa Matilda, celebrated its first anniversary as South of Fifth’s premier destination.

Operating across three locations means 18-hour days and back-to-back meetings, Joseph revealed. “Restaurant business is not easy,” she says. “I never give up; my courage keeps me pushing myself.”

If there’s a formula behind the Matilda effect, Joseph keeps it simple.

“Service is number one, that’s very important for hospitality,” she says of her success. “Your food has to be good. That’s really the main key.”

Now, the hospitality group is laying the groundwork for expansion beyond Miami Beach. Joseph and her partners are plotting multi-location growth for Matilda Taco Bar and eyeing other states for Casa Matilda. She’s also writing an e-book for small business owners, helping guide them through brand building without costly missteps – practical wisdom learned through experience.

Beyond business metrics, Joseph’s vision centers on representation; she wants her legacy to reflect resilience. As a woman of color in fine dining’s male-dominated world, she’s building a foundation for her daughter and every aspiring female restaurateur. “A woman can build anything,” she said.

The Matilda effect is real, and it’s shaping what women-led Latin fine dining can be in Miami.