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Rooted in Fire: a Carlsbad City Library Thanksgiving Week Adventure featuring Pyet DeSpain, Native American and Mexican Chef and Winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef in conversation with internationally renowned Native American hoop dancer Eric Michael Hernandez
About the Live, In-Person, Adventure
“Every dish carries a story — of the land, the people, and the love that sustains them.” – Pyet DeSpain
As the season of harvest and gathering arrives, join us for an inspiring evening with Pyet DeSpain, winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef and author of the stunning debut cookbook, Rooted in Fire: a Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking.
Pyet will share how her Native American and Mexican heritage infuses every recipe with tradition, resilience, and deep respect for the earth. Through stories, flavors, and ancestral wisdom, she invites us to celebrate the ways food can connect us, honor our roots, and nourish both body and spirit.
“Pyet’s talent is evident in every recipe in this book.The way she weaves her heritage into her dishes is extraordinary… Trust me, you’re in for an absolute treat.” – Gordon Ramsay
“[Pyet’s] voice is heartfelt,her vision and dedication are clear, and her talent within the Indigenous food movement is undeniable.This book marks an important chapter in her growing legacy.” – Sean Sherman, founder of the Sioux Chef/Natifs.Org and author of the Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen and Turtle Island
Registration
Registration for this event is FREE and open to the public, but seating is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the Carlsbad City Library for further information on seating.
Pre-order a copy of Rooted in Fire below to receive a $5 discount (online special only). Books will be delivered to you at the event for signing and are also available at the event for purchase. Only books pre-ordered below or purchased at the event will be eligible for signing.
About the Author and Book
Pyet is short for her inherited Native American name, Pyetwetmokwe. As a proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and with deep roots in her Mexican heritage, Pyet’s work reflects the balance of both cultures. Her approach to food is deeply personal — a blend of identity, history, and the drive to keep ancestral traditions alive through everyday cooking.
As the first winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef winner, Pyet DeSpain draws on her roots to blend the traditions of Native American and Mexican foodways with modern culinary creativity, offering private chef services, catering, and educational experiences.
Her mission is to honor ancestral flavors, support sustainable food practices, and create meaningful connections through food, by ensuring that every dish she creates tells a story, one of culture, resilience, and the deep ties between food and community.
Rooted in Fire: a Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking is Pyet DeSpain’s debut cookbook, a heartfelt tribute to her Native American and Mexican heritage. With over 60 inspired recipes, this book invites you into the vibrant, seasonal, and healing world of Indigenous Fusion cuisine. From bison and wild berries to mezcal and chocolate, these dishes aren’t just meals—they’re stories, passed down and reimagined for the modern table.
About the Moderator
Eric Michael Hernandez, a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe, is an esteemed Native American hoop dancer with over 20 years of experience. Mentored by Terry Goedel, Eric’s skills took center stage as the lead in Cirque du Soleil’s Totem, touring over 17 countries. A recent TEDx speaker, his mission is to challenge stereotypes and spread ancestral wisdom about Native Americans through the art of hoop dance. Now, Eric brings his story to the screen as the writer and director of Courage, a powerful short film inspired by his real-life journey of learning hoop dance from his Uncle Terry. Courage is a tribute to the strength of cultural storytelling and the importance of reclaiming identity through tradition.
About the Carlsbad City Library
The mission of the Carlsbad City Library is to “provide community members of all ages with convenient access to high quality resources and services to inform and enrich individual and community life.”
