Cocina Puerto Rico: Recipes from My Abuela’s Kitchen to Yours

This is an event for foodies who are fans of food competition shows. Mia Castro is a Puerto Rican chef, cookbook author, and television personality known for her bold refined Mediterranean cuisine blended with her Caribbean heritage. Her debut book Cocina Puerto Rico: Recipes from My Abuela’s Kitchen to Yours celebrates her roots, her Abuela’s influence, and her signature philosophy that less is more. Chef Mia is classically trained at the Culinary Institute of America and shaped in world-renowned kitchens. She has been featured in competition on Chopped, Ramsey in 10, Beat Bobby Flay, and Hell’s Kitchen. Harper’s Bazaar named Cocina Puerto Rico: Recipes From My Abuela’s Kitchen to Yours one of the 10 best cookbooks of the 2026 spring season. Mia has also been featured on the Today Show and Good Morning America as a featured chef.

Every May, the city of Philadelphia celebrates World Heritage Month. The Free Library, in collaboration with the Office of the City Representative and Global Philadelphia, is celebrating by hosting a number of programs that celebrate Philadelphia’s key role in the global community. Philadelphia was the first U.S. city honored with the Global Heritage title.

Food is an element that brings people together. Food is a shared experience with its own language that promotes cultural understanding. The celebration will host a series of presentations and book signings with some of the nation’s leading award-winning top chefs who have appeared on national telelvision food shows, are featured in major publications, James Beard honored and have their books on best-of lists. Each program will be followed by a book signing and light tasting.