halo kaya perez-gallardo is the head chef and creative director of the James-Beard nominated restaurant and community hub, Lil’ Deb’s Oasis in Hudson, NY. Raised by three Ecuadorian women in Queens, New York, they were born into a home with a kitchen that was always busy and full of life. In seventh grade, they started Saborines, a pie company named after their grandmother. After graduating from Bard College in 2010 with a degree in studio arts, they found a place for themself cooking and managing kitchens. Following a brief pause from cooking and a strained attempt to navigate the traditional art world, they became co-founder of Lil’ Deb’s Oasis in 2016. @lildebsoasis @eatplaylove69 (Instagram)