monti carlo

Monti Carlo, born Mairym Carlo on May 7, 1975, in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, is a distinguished figure in the culinary world. She moved to the mainland U.S. at six years old, returning periodically before permanently settling there in 1993. Her career began in stand-up comedy and as a host for award-winning morning radio shows across Atlanta, Phoenix, and Seattle. This foundation in performance and communication laid the groundwork for her transition into food media, where she skillfully blends entertainment with culinary instruction.

Her career in food gained significant momentum in 2012 when she became a Top 5 finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s “MasterChef USA” season 3. This exposure propelled her into a prominent role as a food personality. Following “MasterChef,” Monti hosted the FYI special “Make My Food Famous” and made numerous appearances on Food Network shows such as “Chopped Junior,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” and “The Kitchen.” She also hosted “Help My Yelp” on Food Network and contributed to “The Cooking Channel’s Best Thing I Ever Ate.” In 2020, she hosted Gordon Ramsay’s digital series “Ramsay Redemption” and was a featured host on Tastemade’s “Make This Tonight.” Monti also served as a Guest Host for KitchenAid on HSN.

Carlo has expanded her influence beyond television, writing and producing culinary content. She is the co-founder and Director of Culinary Content for “Make My Food Famous,” and her cookbook, Spanglish, is set to be published by Simon & Schuster. She is also a James Beard Foundation Advisor, where she has served as an Advisor, Taste America Host, Media Judge, and Red Carpet Host. In 2021, The Spruce Eats recognized her as one of the Culinarian’s You Should Know. Her blog, islandgirlcooks.com, further showcases her recipes and culinary insights. Monti currently resides in Hollywood, California, with her child, Danger, continuing to be a prolific voice in food media.