Carmen Ibarra AKA Mango Mama
Carmen Ibarra is a creative and passionate rising Chef from Miami, Florida. Carmen launched The Next Course after parting ways from her corporate job due to the pandemic, which has quickly grown through her national and international following on Instagram & YouTube. She creates conceptual cooking videos, sells her handmade Mango Mama Salsa, caters local events, hosts monthly restaurant collaborations and live cooking demos, and is currently enrolled in the Chef Apprentice Program at Miami Culinary Institute.
Carmen remembers the day she first began to love eating onions more than the day when she first learned how to drive a car. Her love for cooking and food began at a young age in the kitchen with her family where Peruvian food was eaten and celebrated on a daily basis. Her goal is to continue globalizing Peruvian cuisine and sharing the untold stories of it’s delicious dishes.
With nearly a decade of sales background in the hospitality industry, Carmen has worked in event design, catering, destination management, and restaurants. She thrives on connecting with people, making visions come to life and telling stories through tasty food and enticing experiences. The Next Course represents the next successful chapter of her life both professionally and personally.
When Carmen isn’t caught dancing in her hairnet in the kitchen, she is usually jumping in the ocean and enjoying the Miami sun. She is inspired by food, nature, music and soul.