Chef Mia Castro’s culinary roots go back to where she was born: San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was partly raised by her grandparents and grew up helping her Abuela prepare traditional meals with home grown Caribbean ingredients. This gave her a deep appreciation for sustainable agriculture and culturally rich, wholesome food. 

Upon high school graduation, she moved to Hyde Park, NY to attend The Culinary Institute of America. She obtained an Associate's degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Management.

Chef Mia spent the next ten years living in different cities including Las Vegas, Miami, and New York. To learn the ins and outs of restaurants, she worked for esteemed chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, and Jose Andrés. This gave her valuable knowledge that would propel her ongoing career.

Her bold, passionate personality led to media exposure, competing in some of the most challenging cooking shows on television. She Beat Bobby Flay on The Food Network with her Abuela’s Arroz con Pollo recipe. She was also a finalist on Chopped as well as Hell’s Kitchen on FOX, hosted by Chef Gordon Ramsay. Her opponents described her fierce tenacity as a “pitbull in the kitchen” and she earned the unofficial Challenge Queen title of Hell’s Kitchen after winning the most challenges in a season of any contestant in the history of the show.

Chef Gordon Ramsay noticed Chef Mia’s ability to work under pressure, so he invited her to host his hit YouTube series, Ramsay in 10. He challenged her to expertly prepare her favorite meals in under ten minutes, which she successfully achieved. Her episodes have garnered millions of views to date.

Her gastronomic taste and refreshing charm earned her Food Expert ranking as a commentator on A&E Network’s new series, Deliciously Twisted Classics. She discusses her favorite restaurants across the nation serving classic meals with a modern twist.  

Chef Mia Castro established her business in New York City, providing numerous culinary services. As a private chef, she travels across the nation with high profile clients to create fine dining, restaurant quality experiences at their homes. She provides consulting services to clients needing expert advice and support to improve their food business. Her food influencer status on social media has led her to work as a recipe developer, partner, and brand ambassador for ongoing clients including, but not limited to Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, Peroni Italian Birra, Del Monte Fresh, and Rioja Wines. 

Most recently, she started writing her first cookbook about Puerto Rican cuisine and her diasporic experience in the U.S. She signed with Union Square and Co. who will publish her book in Fall of 2025.