To mark the forthcoming of the ‘Taittinger’ – International Signature Cuisine Prize – that will be held on the 30th of January 2024, meet Claudette Zepeda, candidate for the United States.
We welcomed Claudette for the first time last year. Dominique Crenn, president of the Prize in the United States, selected her again this year. A candidate can run up to 3 times.
Born in San Diego and of Mexican origin, Claudette grew up in a family of restaurateurs. Her destiny was all mapped out, she likes to say that it was the profession that chose her.
She became known in the USA for her mastery of “Live Fire Chef” cooking over embers. Mastery that she was able to demonstrate in numerous competitions, particularly on television.
A single mother of two children, she also experienced setbacks in her life which led her to create a foundation that encourages young Mexican women to become entrepreneurs.
Today, she runs her restaurant “Vaga” in San Diego and is preparing to open in Nashville.
Multi-awarded, recognized by the Press, it is above all her humility and her confidence that characterizes Claudette.
She finds her inspiration in music and at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico. Her model : Frida Kahlo, famous Mexican painter, whose face she has tattooed on her arm and who inspired her motto “Viva la Vida“ .
