Hola, mi gente!
Soy Zoé!
It’s great to have you here. I’m the creator of Girl Meets Fire, a website dedicated to reconnecting with Puerto Rican roots through food. My own, and for anyone searching for that same sense of flavor, identity, and home.
Meet Zoé
I was born in Puerto Rico. At 15, my family moved to Florida, where I finished high school and began studying theatre in college before switching to culinary arts. I have spent over 20 years in the culinary world, working in everything from fast food to fine dining. My experience includes the Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World and Top of the Falls Restaurant in Niagara Falls State Park, a well-known seasonal restaurant. Those kitchens taught me discipline, versatility, and technique. But it is the flavors of home that still guide me.
What Fuels My Fire
My cooking is influenced by the ingredients I grew up with, the stories they carry, and the desire to bring them to life in both traditional and nontraditional ways. I draw inspiration from the everyday cooks in my family, the resilience of Puerto Rican cuisine, and the freedom that comes from not being formally trained in one single style.
Reclaiming My Food Heritage
As a member of the Puerto Rican diaspora, I have felt the ache of being disconnected from the food and traditions that shaped my childhood. Through Girl Meets Fire, I am reconnecting with my roots and sharing the vibrant, soulful cuisine of Puerto Rico with others who feel the same longing or want to learn about the island’s rich culinary culture.
My Food Story
Finding My Way To The Kitchen
I have always been curious about cooking, but I did not grow up doing it. In college, while struggling with ADHD and watching a fellow student cook for our theatre group, I realized how much I wanted that skill. For myself, for stability, and joy. That is when I began to think of food as more than just something to eat. It became a possible path.
Homesick In Buffalo
The real connection to Puerto Rican food hit me years later, living in Buffalo. I was home with my kids most of the time, far from family, cold to the bone, and feeling isolated. One day, I saw a commercial for Puerto Rico and broke down in tears. The homesickness was real.
"That moment changed everything. I have been working hard ever since to maintain that connection."
Losing My Mother, Finding My Mission
When we moved to Florida, I started asking more questions about our food, trying to learn. Then I lost my mom. Along with her, I lost one of my deepest links to our culinary roots. That moment changed everything. I have been working hard ever since to maintain that connection.
Coming Home Through Food
Now that I am back in Puerto Rico, I have the chance to keep learning. Not just arroz con habichuelas, but the deeper, regional flavors that tell the full story of our food. Girl Meets Fire is where I am building my recipe collection. It is for me, for my kids, and for anyone craving that taste of home.
A Culinary Commitment to Puerto Rican Heritage
Food has always been my strongest connection to family and culture. Dishes like Pastelón and my mother’s Budín de Pan are more than meals. They are memories, stories, and pieces of who I am. That is why I feel a sense of duty with this work. Even when it's hard, whether I'm developing recipes, shooting videos, or managing the tech, I keep going because it matters.
I want to preserve the recipes that shaped me, but I also want to push them forward. I want to explore new uses for familiar ingredients and reimagine what Puerto Rican food can be. Our cuisine deserves more than being known for rice and frituras. It is rich, resourceful, and full of possibility. My goal is to celebrate that and to share it with home cooks who crave that same connection.
Why trust my recipes?
With over 26 years of professional cooking experience, I have worked across diverse cuisines, developing techniques that enable me to balance tradition with creativity. My recipes are rooted in Puerto Rican heritage, shaped by personal experiences, and refined through years of professional cooking. I aim to make them approachable for every cook, using thoughtful substitutions and time-tested methods to bring authentic flavor to any kitchen.
Girl Meets Fire: Where Passion Meets Purpose
This project was born out of both frustration and longing. While working as a chef, I came to a hard realization. I knew very little about the food I grew up eating. After losing my mother, I felt an urgent need to reconnect with that part of myself and to honor her memory through our culinary heritage. Girl Meets Fire became the space where I could bring together my professional experience and cultural passion. It gave me a purpose, a voice, and a way to cook, write, and share, no matter where life takes me.
What Girl Meets Fire Brings to the Table
- Authentic Puerto Rican Recipes: Family favorites and my own interpretations, adapted for the modern kitchen. Dishes like my grandmother's Arroz con Dulce, a sticky-sweet rice pudding served during the holidays, or Arroz con Pollo, a comforting go-to for busy weekdays.
- Puerto Rican Fusions and Other Global Inspirations: Traditional Puerto Rican recipes reimagined with creative twists and influences from around the world. Think Seafood Pomodoro, a light and vibrant mix of shrimp, mussels, and more, or Cochinita Pibil, a flavorful slow-cooked dish that will level up your next Taco Tuesday.
- Tips & Techniques: Professional insights to help you recreate Puerto Rican flavors with confidence. From peeling plantains and green bananas to cooking perfect white rice, each recipe comes with tips to make your time in the kitchen smoother and more rewarding.
Traditional Puerto Rican Recipes
Whether you’re reconnecting with your heritage, curious about Puerto Rican cuisine, or just looking for something delicious to make, I’m here to guide you. Check out my Traditional Puerto Rican Classics to get started—every dish is a step closer to savoring the rich flavors of Puerto Rico.
- Puerto Rican Homemade Sofrito15 Minutes
- Puerto Rican Garlic Paste10 Minutes
- Achiote Oil29 Minutes
- Mojo Marinade15 Minutes
Get Started With My Free eBook!
Download a collection of essential Puerto Rican recipes to bring the flavors of home to your kitchen today. Featuring essential recipes like Arroz con Gandules, Mofongo, Coquito, and more. It’s a great way to bring the heart of Puerto Rican cooking into your kitchen.
Let's Cook Together!
If you're interested in working together or would like to say Buen Dia, you can reach me at [email protected], or visit my Contact page. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for being here,
Zoé