Paola Velez is an award-winning chef and author. Food And Wine’s Best New Chef in 2021, James Beard nominated and rising as one of the best new chefs and personalities in food. Velez is the owner of Dōekï Dōekï (an Afro-Latin pop-up concept), founder of Small Orchids Inc (a media and marketing company) and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism – an organization that is “baking” the world a better place. We talk about her pandemic pop-up Doña Dona that kickstarted her philanthropy, some amazing mentors like Jacques Torres and Christina Tosi and how to stand out in a crowded and competitive industry.