Miami’s culinary landscape has been booming in recent years, with a diverse range of restaurants and talented chefs making their mark in the city.
Among them are a group of trailblazing women who have risen to the top of their profession, bringing their passion and creativity to the table.
In this article, we’ll explore the best female chefs in Miami, their backgrounds, their unique styles, and what makes them stand out in this competitive food scene.
These chefs are breaking boundaries and making Miami a must-visit destination for foodies. Let’s dive in and discover the culinary wonders these talented women have to offer!
Dallas Wynne is a pastry chef that has made a name for herself in Miami despite her young age, as she is astonishingly still under thirty!
Wynne is a Palm City native who attended Johnson & Wales University in North Miami with dreams of working with the chef Michael Schwartz.
After applying to Michael’s Genuine- one of Schwartz’s restaurants- multiple times, Wynne finally got a job working at his restaurant Harry Pizzeria as a pantry cook.
She was then taken under the wing of Hedy Goldsmith, the pastry chef at Michael’s Genuine, which would be a turning point in her career.
Wynne went on to work at Thierry’s Culinary Event & Design as a pastry sous chef before obtaining her first role as an executive pastry chef at the restaurant Ariete in Coconut Grove at the young age of twenty-one.
Following this, Wynne would go on to work with Groot Hospitality to oversee the pastries at various bakeries and restaurants in Miami, including Sushi Fly Chicken, Winker’s Diner, and Toothfairy Bakery.
She would later be promoted again, becoming the corporate pastry chef at Groot Hospitality.
2. Valerie Chang
Valerie Chang is a highly acclaimed Miami-based chef and restaurateur who has made a name for herself with her unique fusion of Latin, Asian, and Caribbean flavors.
Valerie worked at several top-rated restaurants in Miami before opening her own highly acclaimed eatery, Itamae, in 2017.
The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and delicious Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
In addition to running her own restaurant, Valerie has been recognized for her culinary talent with numerous awards and accolades, including being named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South and also being one of twenty-five women chosen to take part in the James Beard Foundation’s 2020 Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.
She has also been featured in national publications like Food & Wine and Bon Appétit, among others.
Maggie Hyams is a talented Miami-based chef who has quickly risen to prominence in the city’s Japanese culinary scene.
Hyams works as an assistant chef at the prominent Japanese restaurant Wabi Sabi by Shuji, working under the head chef of the establishment Shuji Hiyakawa, though her career began with her undertaking a variety of jobs at Hard Rock in both the hotel and the casino.
Her skills were clear from a young age, as shown by her acceptance into the Culinary Institute of America after her graduation from high school.
Despite having to turn down the position due to the high tuition fees, Hyam still managed to establish herself in the culinary world through her hard work and determination.
Hiyakawa soon became her mentor, making her begin at the bottom of Wabi Sabi by Shuji by preparing the smaller, unseen parts of sushi preparation for the restaurant, such as by making the rice vinegar and sauces.
Hyams’s position as an assistant chef is highly admirable- thanks to her journey from the bottom and the precise work that is needed in the preparation of sushi- and she is certainly a female Miami chef who is sure to continue making a mark in the culinary world.
Adrianne Calvo is a highly regarded Miami-based chef and restaurateur known for her innovative and eclectic approach to cuisine.
Born and raised in Miami, Adrianne grew up in a family that owned a restaurant, and she developed a passion for cooking from a young age.
After attending culinary school in Miami, Adrianne worked at several top-rated restaurants before opening her own highly acclaimed eatery, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, in 2007.
The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its inventive and flavorful dishes, featuring a mix of global influences and locally sourced ingredients.
As well as running her own restaurant, Adrianne has appeared on several cooking shows, including Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.”
She has also been recognized for her culinary talent with numerous awards and accolades, including being named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South.
Adrianne’s dishes at Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar are known for their bold and creative flavor combinations, such as the popular short rib empanadas with avocado crema and the grilled octopus with smoked paprika aioli.
Her commitment to sustainability and using fresh, local ingredients also sets her apart, with many of her dishes featuring locally sourced seafood and produce.
Aside from her work as a chef and restaurateur, Adrianne is also a philanthropist and community leader, supporting local charities and hosting events to raise money for important causes.
With her talent, passion, and dedication, Adrianne Calvo has become one of the most influential and respected chefs in Miami’s food scene.
5. Sakhone Sayarath
Sakhone Sayarath is a Laotian-American chef who is known for her innovative and flavorful fusion of Southeast Asian and Latin American cuisines.
She was born in Laos and moved to the United States when she was eight, where she grew up surrounded by a diverse range of culinary traditions.
Sayarath worked in Arlington, Virginia, as a hostess and enrolled in a community college whilst doing so to study advertising.
She would later transfer to an art school in Miami where she would meet Curtis Rhodes, who would go on to become her partner in life as well as her restaurant partner who would become her co-founder of Lil’ Laos.
In 2020, Sakhone opened her own restaurant, Lil Laos, which has quickly become one of Miami’s most exciting and popular eateries.
At Lil Laos, Sakhone showcases her unique culinary vision, blending the bold flavors and spices of Southeast Asian cuisine with the colorful ingredients of Latin American cooking.
Her dishes are a playful and creative fusion of these two culinary traditions, featuring bold and unexpected flavor combinations that are both delicious and visually striking.
Sakhone’s dedication to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and her commitment to sustainability also set her apart as a chef.
She works closely with local farmers and fishers to source the freshest, highest-quality ingredients for her dishes, and she strives to minimize waste and reduce her restaurant’s environmental impact.
Sakhone has been recognized for her culinary talent with numerous accolades, including being named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South in 2020 and 2021.
With her unique culinary vision, her commitment to quality ingredients, and her passion for sustainability, Sakhone Sayarath has become one of the most exciting and influential chefs in Miami’s food scene.
Samira Saade is a highly talented pastry chef in Miami, but she had a pretty significant career change to get to where she is now.
Saade spent a semester studying systems engineering back in her home country of Ecuador before she realized that it was not the career path for her.
She instead switched to the kitchen, deciding to undertake a general cooking degree due to not having any options at that time regarding specific pastry training.
Despite not having any experience, Saade was determined and managed to receive an internship with Antonio Bachour, a pastry chef whom she respected greatly.
Bachour gave her six months to show him what she could do and seeing as she managed to become his right-hand woman in that space of time, it is safe to say that she impressed him!
Saade has since traveled the world along with Bachour to share their skills with students in countries such as Thailand, Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, and more.
She also took on the position of sous pastry chef at the Coral Gables bakery before working her way up to executive pastry chef.
Final Thoughts
Miami is home to a diverse and dynamic culinary scene, and the city’s female chefs (see also: 6 Female Miami Chefs We Adore)are leading the way with their innovative, flavorful, and visually stunning dishes.
From Valerie Chang’s bold and creative approach to Asian cuisine to Sakhone Sayarath’s fusion of Southeast Asian and Latin American flavors, these chefs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the kitchen and earning recognition and accolades along the way.
As the city’s culinary landscape continues to evolve, these talented chefs will no doubt remain at the forefront of Miami’s vibrant and exciting food scene.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
