Raised by three Ecuadorian women in Queens, New York, Halo Kaya Perez-Gallardo [they/them] was born into a home with a kitchen that was always busy. In seventh grade, they started Saborines, a pie company named after her grandmother. After graduating from Bard College 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 co-founded Lil’ Deb’s Oasis in 2016 and is now chef-owner & creative director of the James-Beard nominated restaurant and community hub in Hudson, NY.
