Frances Tariga-Weshnak

AGE: 33
HOMETOWN: New York City
PROFESSION: Executive Sous Chef, Catch NYC
CULINARY EDUCATION: Associates Degree in Culinary Arts
FAVORITE SIMPLE FALL DESSERT RECIPE: Turon (Banana Spring Rolls with Jackfruit)

Born and raised in Philippines and trained in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, cooking is not just a job for Frances, it’s her passion and career. She loves pork, as it was a staple of her diet growing up in the Philippines, and uses every part of the animal in her cooking. She has traveled the world working for several royal families and speaks six languages – English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog and Urdu. If she were a food, she says, "I would be a jackfruit as it looks intimidating but once you eat it, you will say, 'I had no idea it's sweet and tastes amazing!'"