A Juneteenth Tribute to Carla Hall

🍤 [Click here for my recipe]

Today is Juneteenth, a day of reflection, education, and celebration of Black freedom, culture, and contributions to American life. One of the many ways culture is preserved and passed on is through food, and today I want to take a moment to honor a chef who embodies that spirit beautifully: Chef Carla Hall.

I️ myself first met Chef Carla Hall through her judging role on holiday baking shows like Halloween Baking Championship or Holiday Baking Championship. But she is so much more than a television personality. Carla Hall is a classically trained chef, a Top Chef alum, seven year co-host of The Chew, and a passionate advocate for Southern cuisine, especially the traditions rooted in African American foodways.

On Chef Carla’s website it states: "She believes food connects us all, and she strives to communicate this through her work, her cooking, and in her daily interactions with others." In honor of Juneteenth (and connecting to other via food), I made my take on one of Chef Carla Hall’s delicious dishes: her Peri Peri Shrimp. Let me tell you: this recipe is packed with flavor and absolutely worth the effort. Carla’s original version is chef-level delicious, with a depth of flavor and attention to detail that really shows her culinary mastery. You can check out her full recipe here.

My version? It’s a bit more pared down for the home cook who may not have a full spice pantry or hours to prep. I’ve kept the flavor and spirit of the dish, but simplified some of the steps and used more common pantry staples. It’s still spicy, smoky, and satisfying—and a fun way to celebrate big flavor in your own kitchen.

This Juneteenth, I hope you’ll take time to learn, reflect, and maybe cook something meaningful. Food is history, it’s memory, it’s connection, and celebrating Black chefs like Chef Carla Hall is one way we can honor that legacy.

🍤 [Click here for my recipe]

🍤 [Click here for Chef Carla's recipe]

Happy Juneteenth, and happy cooking.