Illyanna Maisonet might be the first cookbook author who got her start posting Yelp reviews. She was a working artist when the financial crisis of 2008 sent her down a new path; it took a combination of culinary school, back issues of Gourmet magazine, and Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential to help her discover a new calling. The Yelp reviews? Well, they helped boost her confidence as an aspiring writer. Illyanna went on to become the first Puerto Rican food columnist in the U.S., yet a deal to write a cookbook on the country’s cuisine eluded her. Not even the high-profile support of José Andrés seemed to make a difference. 

Illyanna persevered and Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook was published this fall. The author joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the journey, the most special recipes in Diasporican, her Burlap & Barrel Adobo & Sazón spice collaboration, and more. You can find the recipe for Illyanna’s Califas Shrimp (Puerto Rican shrimp and grits) from Diasporican here.

Thank you to Käserei Champignon, a 100-year-old cheese producer and the maker of Cambozola, for supporting this episode. 

Our podcast is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tralala. 

Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here.

More on Illyanna: Instagram, Website, Diasporican