Best Chef
Chef Maria Teresa Gallina, affectionately known as Tere, can easily be described as an “overnight success,” but her journey tells a different story. She spent over a decade honing her craft in kitchens like the lauded Alter before stepping into the spotlight. Today, she’s the driving force behind Recoveco, a standout newcomer in South Miami that she co-owns and operates with her partner, the equally talented Chef Nico Martinez. A proud Venezuelan, Tere is part of the next generation of chefs securing our place in culinary history, recently winning the StarChefs Rising Star Chef Award. Her rise is a testament to what happens when dedication, grit, and undeniable talent come together. Success may not come overnight, but when it does, it’s well-earned.