Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamar Poyser. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Star quality cooks are an essential presence in the world today. In comes Tamar Poyser, a fresh face in the cooking world bringing flavors and original recipes from the Caribbean. Her recipes impress A-list cooking talents, authors, and everyday food lovers alike.
As a young girl, Tamar moved to Flatbush, Brooklyn from her native homeland Savanna La Mar, Jamaica. Through her upbringing and family, she has gained a special appreciation for food and culture, which she uses as inspiration for all her endeavors.
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism/Television Production from Temple University, Tamar went on to pursue a career in television. She landed a position at Fox 5 News in 2005 as a News Assistant and later landed a position as Field Producer and Production Coordinator. She then went on to work for BET Networks in 2008. Due to the passing of her great aunt and family matriarch Hyacinth Touslin, along with dissatisfaction with her career direction, Tamar was inspired to search for true success and happiness. In 2009 Tamar decided to devote herself to perusing her God-given cooking talents and merge that with her broadcasting experience.
Her journey began when she responded to a craigslist listing for a cooking show called “A Taste from the Melting Pot” airing on international television station Ebru TV, she was the featured cook representing for Jamaican cuisine. Soon after, Tamar won Rachel Ray’s “Hey Can You Cook 4” competition in front of millions of viewers and was featured in Every Day with Rachel Ray magazine. Among her prizes was a culinary tour in Tuscany, Italy where she learned the techniques of authentic Italian cooking with renowned cookbook author Pamela Sheldon Johns at her Poggio Etrusco estate. In August 2010, Tamar was then selected to compete on Gordon Ramsey’s international hit show Master Chef on Fox Network. In November 2011, Tamar was chosen as fan favorite to compete again in Rachel Ray’s “Hey Can You Cook All-stars” competition. Again, Tamar was the last cook standing!
In 2011 Tamar began her professional cooking experience by serving as an assistant baker for Mortgage Apple Cakes. From there, she made sure to continue working her way up in the field, working in country clubs, assisted living facilities, and corporate kitchens like the NY Jets. She also began creating recipes where she served as a consulting chef for Soul-to-Soul Caribbean Restaurant and The Gallery Lounge. In June 2014, Tamar participated in the Live Well Network’s “Home Chef Showdown.” Once again, Tamar was the winner. In 2107 she transitioned into the private chef world, cooking for professional athletes, celebrities, and upscale private events.
In July 2020, Tamar began to fulfill her dream of building a Caribbean food empire by launching Paradise Kitchen Frozen Meals. A line of Frozen dinners that represent flavors of the Caribbean islands. Bringing the soul of the Caribbean from your freezer to your table.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I had all odds against me when I entered the culinary field, I was not classically trained and I am a woman. Both those things did not make it easy for me to get jobs in the culinary industry. When I did get a chance, I always had to go above and beyond to prove that I had the skill and stamina to be there.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Chef so I consider myself a creative first and foremost because the plate is like my canvas. I run a Private/Personal Chef Business in the Central Florida area. I also launched a Frozen Meal Brand called Paradise Kitchen Frozen Meals. I am most proud of launching my Frozen Meal Brand. It has always been a dream of mine to run a food empire and launching my frozen meals is the beginning of my journey.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as the opportunity to do what you love everyday and the accomplishment of your life’s purpose.
Contact Info:
- Email: paradisekitchenglobal@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tamarpoyser and @paradisekitchenglobal
