Daisy Martinez
Born to mainland Puerto Rican parents in Brooklyn, New York, she lived at her grandmother’s house until she was almost five years old.  Between her grandmother and mother, Daisy learned that the kitchen is the happiest room in the household, filled with love, family, and delicious food.

Prior to entering the food world, Daisy was an actress and model.  She became the “Martinez Valero” Girl when the Spanish shoe company decided to compete with Italy in the American market.  Daisy was also featured in American commercials for several products including Ford.  She has also appeared in several movies, including “Carlito’s Way” and “Scent of a Woman.”

Ten years ago, over dinner one night at the French Culinary Institute, Daisy’s husband told her he was sending her to cooking school for her birthday – a dream that Daisy has always wanted.  In 1998 Daisy matriculated at the FCI, where she won first place for her final project, “The Passionate Palate.”  Shortly after graduation, Daisy worked on the set of PBS’ Lidia’s Italian Kitchen as a prep-kitchen chef, and as a private chef in New York City.  In addition to starring in her own PBS series, “Daisy Cooks,” she continues to manage a small catering business, “The Passionate Palate.”

Daisy’s embrace of her cultural roots and knowledge of the broad spectrum of Latin cuisine are vividly communicated through the highly rated PBS series and cookbook, “Daisy Cooks!”