Monti Carlo is a Puerto Rican cook, writer, and award-winning television host whose work spans Food Network, PBS, FYI, Netflix, and Roku. A James Beard Foundation advisor and two-time Telly Award winner, she has appeared on Cutthroat Kitchen, Supermarket Stakeout, and MasterChef, and she has created a digital community of more than one million followers. Her work blends storytelling, culture, and cuisine to celebrate Puerto Rican cooking and the evolving story of American food. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
“Monti Carlo’s Spanglish fed my heart as much as my appetite. She’s a friend who shows up on the page exactly as she is—unapologetic, generous, and full of love. I didn’t grow up with Puerto Rican food, but this book made me feel like I was in Monti’s kitchen, tasting and learning right beside her. Spanglish reminds us that food is activism, survival, and self-expression—a homecoming that invites us all to the table.” —CARLA HALL “Monti Carlo’s Spanglish fed my heart as much as my appetite. She’s a friend who shows up on the page exactly as she is—unapologetic, generous, and full of love. I didn’t grow up with Puerto Rican food, but this book made me feel like I was in Monti’s kitchen, tasting and learning right beside her. Spanglish reminds us that food is activism, survival, and self-expression—a homecoming that invites us all to the table.” —CARLA HALL “Monti is one of the most dedicated and inspirational chefs out there today. Ever since her first challenge on MasterChef, I could see how passionate she was about her work, and you can definitely see her passion in the pages of this book.” —GORDON RAMSAY “Nobody is like Monti. No other cookbook captures the experience of Puerto Rican migration so honestly. Spanglish is a mix of heartfelt stories and great recipes—each one a little conversation with your new best friend.” — GIOVANNA HUYKE “Through Spanglish, Monti captures what it means to live between cultures and to cook from both. Her recipes speak a universal language of belonging —bold, emotional, and unapologetically Puerto Rican.” —ERIC ADJEPONG “Spanglish is a love letter to Puerto Rican heritage. This book is beyond incredible recipes and a celebration of food. It’s about finding pride in who you were and who you’ve become. I can’t wait to cook through it.” —MANEET CHAUHAN “Monti Carlo is a proud Puerto Rican chef whose voice and vision have reshaped the way we see food and culture. Her journey is proof that resilience, creativity, and corazón can transform challenges into triumphs.” —WILO BENET, author of Puerto Rican True Flavors “Monti has this wonderful, effusive presence in person. And I found it here in every story and in her detailed recipes. Her food is delicious, and her love for Puerto Rico and its unique and evolving cuisine is contagious. I fell in love with this book. —ELIZABETH FALKNER, chef and James Beard Foundation trustee and awards committee chair