Program Description
Event Details
Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Pyet DeSpain, winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef and author of the debut cookbook Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking. Pyet will share how her heritage infuses every recipe with tradition, resilience, and deep respect for the earth, weaving together stories, flavors, and ancestral wisdom. DeSpain won't be the only award winning chef in attendance at this event as she will be in conversation with Masterchef winner Claudia Sandoval!
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, subject to availability. Limited preferred seating is available with purchase of Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking through Adventure's by the Book. Please visit https://adventuresbythebook.com/calendar-event/despain-pyet-11-22-25/ for more information.
About Pyet DeSpain
Pyet is short for her inherited Native American name, Pyetwetmokwe. As a proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and with deep roots in her Mexican heritage, Pyet’s work reflects the balance of both cultures. Her approach to food is deeply personal — a blend of identity, history, and the drive to keep ancestral traditions alive through everyday cooking.
As the first winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef winner, Pyet DeSpain draws on her roots to blend the traditions of Native American and Mexican foodways with modern culinary creativity, offering private chef services, catering, and educational experiences.
Her mission is to honor ancestral flavors, support sustainable food practices, and create meaningful connections through food, by ensuring that every dish she creates tells a story, one of culture, resilience, and the deep ties between food and community.
Rooted in Fire: a Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking is Pyet DeSpain’s debut cookbook, a heartfelt tribute to her Native American and Mexican heritage. With over 60 inspired recipes, this book invites you into the vibrant, seasonal, and healing world of Indigenous Fusion cuisine. From bison and wild berries to mezcal and chocolate, these dishes aren’t just meals—they’re stories, passed down and reimagined for the modern table.
About Claudia Sandoval
Chef Sandoval is an award-winning chef, bestselling author, TV host, and executive producer internationally recognized for her modern approach to Mexican cuisine and her deep commitment to community. She launched her career after winning Season 6 of MasterChef U.S., becoming the first Latina to hold the title, and has since built a robust television résumé with appearances on Chopped, Worst Cooks in America, Tournament of Champions, Grudge Match, Easter Basket Challenge, and Top Chef VIP. She has also judged MasterChef Latino (Telemundo) and MasterChef Latinos (Estrella TV).
Beyond the screen, Claudia has produced and hosted the docuseries Taste of the Border (Discovery+) and La Mesa Mexa (Bite Originals). In 2025, she expanded her global impact as a Mentor for Team Mexico at the Bocuse d’Or Competition, the world’s most prestigious culinary contest.
Founder of Claudia’s Cocina and creator of the acclaimed pop-up bakery Cochi Dorado, she has partnered with leading global brands and helped raise more than $1 million for nonprofits. Based between San Diego and Tijuana, Claudia continues to champion culture, storytelling, and community through every dish and project she touches.