Today on the Cookbook Love Podcast, I am honored to welcome Pyet Despain, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribe, award-winning global private chef, and the first winner of Gordon Ramsay’s groundbreaking competition series Next Level Chef.

Pyets’s life and work are rooted in Indigenous fusion cuisine, where she weaves together the food traditions of her Native American and Mexican heritage. Through her cooking, storytelling, and travel, Pyet is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous culture and honoring the traditions passed down through generations.

Originally from the Osage Indian Reservation in Kansas City, Kansas, Pyet now resides in Los Angeles, California, where she continues to share her culinary voice with the world. Her beautiful new book, Rooted in Fire, reflects her journey, her heritage, and her deep respect for food as a cultural and spiritual expression.

In today’s conversation Pyet shares:

  • The story behind Rooted in Fire, who the book is for, and what inspired her to bring this project to life. 
  • Her journey from idea to finished book, the message she hopes cooks and bakers will take away, and how her work connects food, identity, and tradition. 
  • The structure of the book, including the table of contents, key themes in the chapters, and several recipes you can try at home to experience the flavors and stories of Indigenous cuisine in your own home.

 Listen to Episode 385 below:

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Things We Mention In This Episode:

Rooted in Fire and Pyet’s Plate.com

Columbiana by Mariana Velasquez

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