Mia Castro is a professional chef, cookbook author, and television personality born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her love of cooking began in her childhood kitchen, helping her Abuela prepare traditional Puerto Rican meals with fresh, homegrown ingredients. These early experiences shaped her identity and sparked a lifelong passion for food rooted in culture, family, and sustainability.
Her signature style—what she calls “Mediterribbean”—blends Mediterranean principles of simplicity, balance, and seasonality with the bold, soulful flavors of the Caribbean.
A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Mia holds degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. She trained in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the U.S., working alongside celebrated chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, and José Andrés.
Mia is also no stranger to the spotlight, having competed on some of the biggest culinary stages in the world. She was a finalist on Chopped and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, and even claimed victory on Beat Bobby Flay.
Her debut cookbook, Cocina Puerto Rico, is a heartfelt tribute to her roots and the recipes passed down through generations. Inspired by her Abuela and her journey as a Puerto Rican chef in the U.S., this book celebrates heritage, preserves tradition, and reimagines classic dishes with a fresh, nourishing, and modern approach.