The Atria Holiday Cooking Collection

Daisy Martinez was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived at her grandmother's house until she was almost five years old. Between her grandmother and her mother, Daisy learned that the kitchen is the happiest place in the house and with an extended family of relatives from Central America, Spain, and other parts of the Spanish-speaking world, Daisy grew up appreciating the diversity of Latin cuisine.

As a surprise birthday gift, Daisy's husband sent her to cooking school. In 1998 she matriculated at the French Culinary Institute where she won first prize for her final project. After graduation, Daisy worked as a prep-kitchen chef on the set of PBS' Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, a private chef in New York City, and as the owner of a small catering business.

In 2005 Daisy launched Daisy Cooks! on PBS. Her cookbook, Daisy Cooks! Latin Flavors that Will Rock Your World was an IACP nominee and winner of the Best Latino Cuisine Cookbook in the World by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

A chance meeting between Daisy and Rachael Ray lead to Ray's production company, Watch Entertainment, producing Viva Daisy!, which debuted on the Food Network in January 2009. In addition to her TV show, Daisy is also a regular columnist for Every Day with Rachael Ray and Selecciones magazines.

Daisy is very active in the Latino community. To date, just a few of her honors and activities include: Latinas Unidas in Rochester, NY, and The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families; mistress of ceremonies for The American Cancer Society Gala/Brooklyn Chapter, and judge for the Street Vendor Project's Vendy Awards; and working with the New York Fire Department Museum Cook-Off, March of Dimes/ Chicago Chapter, Easter Seals Miami/Dade County Chapter.

Daisy and her family live in Brooklyn, NY.

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