SENIORs dish on small plates 2025
At our annual Small Plates dinner, young people from FC Delivers showcase their skills and passion through an evening of dishes inspired by their own cultures. Tasting tables feature unique flavors of recipes developed by seniors in our Advanced cohort. Each senior has chosen a dish that is meaningful to them and they’re excited to share the stories behind their recipes!
Appetizers
Adilson & Advania - Cape Verdean Tuna Pastels
“I am most excited to share one of my favorite parts of Cape Verdean culture. Pastel has always been a comfort meal, even as a kid, and I would love for others to love it, too.”
Lyric - Honduran Pastelitos
“I’m excited that a group is sharing a piece of my culture because it was something that was a staple for me. I love that people will be able to eat my version of my kind of pastelitos.”
Melia - Pikliz
“I wanted to introduce Pikliz to Future Chefs to share a part of my culture that always makes me happy and that I can always look forward to.”
Sheilin - Papa de Rellena
“The smell of Rellenos de Papa brings me back to the Festival Betances and Puerto Rican parade where there were many options for fritura… I would always choose the relleno de papa because of its crispy outside.”
Mains
Jalisa & Sheilin - Jibarito
“We love that the Jibarito is a sandwich with a Caribbean twist, made with many different spices, flavors and textures which make the dish unique.”
sides
Andre - Miso-Glazed Butternut Squash
“I created it as a vegetarian fusion option… When I think about fusion, I focus on expression of cultures and flavors in ways you wouldn’t normally see.”
palate cleanser
Louis - Osmanthus Jelly
“Served at dim sum restaurants as a refreshing dessert between other dishes… I had many trials finding the right ratio of osmanthus and konjac jelly for proper herbal taste and right firmness.”
desserts
Antonio - Coconut Chrysanthemum Cake
“I wanted to remake the dessert that enforced my love for cooking…”
Arman - Pastel de Dulce de Leche
“This dish was passed down through generations of my family. It started with my great grandmother who lived in Honduras; she would make it to feed not only her neighbors but those in need.”
Ginnell - Strawberry Tamarind Cheesecake
“The thing I am most excited about is how quick and easy the dish is to make. My first time, I made it with my mom, we were both excited with the way it tasted like Strawberry Cheesecake without baking anything!”
beverages
Aaliyah - Tamarind Juice
“I was first introduced to Tamarind when I heard it contains medicinal properties. That fact caught my attention almost immediately, given my deep interest in holistic healing.”
Chanell - Jamaica Water
“When I first tried agua de jamaica it was in New York at one of my favorite Spanish restaurants. I was about 11 years old when I tried it…it had a very homey taste that made you feel almost nostalgic…”
Jadrian, Vex, Anthony, Ginnell - Frozen Peach Lemonade
“I feel like the refreshing profile and fruit sweet flavors attracted me to the idea.”