Amanda Perdomo
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Amanda Perdomo, a talented pastry chef known for her work at Wildair and Roman’s, is redefining dessert with a nostalgic twist. At Kellogg’s, she presents a delightful mix of childhood treats alongside classic diner favorites. Highlights include a Hummingbird cake layered with pineapple jam and enrobed in candied pecans reminiscent of street vendor fare, a playful strawberry pretzel salad made with Jell-O, and an espresso "red eye" cake infused with chicory, honoring her New Orleans roots. Additionally, she serves up sundaes with homemade ice cream, featuring classic flavors like strawberry (busboy’s fave), chocolate, and vanilla, as well as creative spins like a mint-chocolate Grasshopper topped with from-scratch Magic Shell.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Amanda Perdomo, 33, Louisiana
What is your title and where do you work?
I am the pastry chef at Kellogg’s Diner
What inspired you to work in the food industry?
I moved to New York from New Orleans in 2015 with no sense of direction whatsoever, I think I was seeking adventure and fun. I only intended on staying a few months. I had never been to New York before, I didn’t go to college, and still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in life. As time passed, I quickly realized how driven so many of the people I met here were. It was inspiring to me, I found myself wanting to be like that. I was asking myself questions like “what is the one thing you could do forever and feel happiness?”. Obviously money is important, especially in NYC, but I knew that whatever I would do as a career had to bring me joy or it wouldn’t work out. For me…the answer was cooking. I worked (really hard) and paid my own way through culinary school (the french culinary institute). I now realize that I didn’t have to do that to learn, but it was definitely the path for me that led me to where I am now. It has been almost ten years and I have never looked back.
What is your biggest customer pet peeve?
I will keep this one short…but the ultimate pet peeve is guests who are really hard on and critical of restaurant staff, chefs, and food. Most restaurants want to fix (and will fix) any problem that may arise during your meal if you allow it. Let them. Kindness is everything.
What is your most blissful food moment?
To be honest, I have a moment of bliss AT LEAST once a day. Whether that be from the team all working in synchronicity, high fives at the end of a busy and successful service, seeing guests have a blast and love their food. Growing up my dad was diabetic so there was NEVER sugar around...of course I became a pastry chef. Now as an adult I get to cater to my inner child. I get to make cake, ice cream, doughnuts, Jell-O, and pie. How lucky am I? Working in kitchens is one of the hardest things you can do; hard on your body and your mind....but cooking is good for your soul. The pay off isn't always great or what you expect it to be, but everyday I couldn't be more thankful for the place I am in and who I have become through my journey in NYC kitchens. If you don't find joy in it then what are you even doing here?
What dish do you want to perfect in the kitchen?
This may sound lame but…all of them. I can honestly say that everyday I am tasting the desserts at Kellogg’s with curiosity. What if we did this? How do we take it to the next level? What if we adjusted this? How can we produce this more efficiently? Everyday we keep tweaking and improving on things…even stuff that is basically perfect.
If you could shout out a colleague or friend in the industry who would it be and why?
There are so many chefs in this city that I look up to and admire. Camille Lindsley and Telly Justice of HAGS in the east village are def at the top. I am constantly amazed by the level of care they bring to their staff, menu, and everyone they come in contact with. Although they are a fine dining restaurant, they do so much for their community. For example, pay what you can meals every Sunday. You can show up with $0 and leave fed no matter who you are. I feel lucky to call them my friends.
What is the best food city?
My answer is completely biased but…New Orleans. Jambalaya, seafood boils, gumbo, po-boys, fried catfish, red beans and rice…I could go on and on. While I am here in New York City, these are the foods I miss and crave the most.
How do you relax outside of work?
Since the diner has opened, my free time has become really precious to me. I will usually spend a day off sleeping in and resting as hard as I can. I love to be at home and definitely try to give myself time to disconnect. Time outside is a must for me and as much as I can, keep my friends close.
What is your astrology sign (including moon and rising)?
I am a Gemini. I have been told that my moon sign is Taurus and my rising is Capricorn but not really sure what any of it means.
