Kareen “Chef Coco” Linton

was born on the island Barbados and was raised in Brooklyn, New York from the age of nine.

Kareen was introduced to great food at a very early age in Barbados, by her Aunt Day and Grandmother Catherine. She was also surrounded by fashion design, by Phylis and art by artist Slyvan Kinch, who are both the children of Aunt Day. They all have been huge inspirations and ignited her passion for the arts. That passion was further developed when she moved to Brooklyn with her family. New York became the perfect backdrop for displaying all of her creativity. He mother, Una Linton, who was a chef, further imparted a deeper passion for creating great food. Since the passing of her mother, Kareen feels the torch has been passed on to her. She will continue to let food, fashion and the arts be her vehicle for inspiring the world.

Her experience
spans over 30 years

 

Kareen is originally from Barbados and was raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is the Founder and CEO of A Dash of Coco LLC. based in downtown Tampa. The company brings the worlds of food, fashion, and lifestyle together. She is also the Founder and CEO of The Coco Foundation Inc, which is also located in downtown Tampa. The organization’s motto is, “Food is our vehicle to connecting and building a greater community.” Coco, which she’s fondly called is also a Certified International Speaker and Author, her 1st book “Turn Your Sours Into Sweets” is available on Amazon. July 2024, September 2024, Chef Coco was named the American Culinary Federation, ACF Tampa Bay’s 2024 Member of the Year for her work with the youth and community with her foundation. Chef Coco was also honored with her second National American Culinary Federation, ACF Cutting Edge Award at the national convention in Phoenix, Arizona. Chef Coco has been invited by the country of France and the Tourism Board of the island of St. Martin to represent the USA and her 

Barbadian heritage at the St, Martin Gastronomic Festival, November 11th to 22nd, 2024. September 2023, Chef Coco was invited by the Disciples of Escoffier International to represent the US delegation and perform a demo presentation at the Eiffel Tower in Paris at the VILLAGE INTERNATIONAL DE LA GASTRONOMIE. In celebration of National Child Nutrition Day, October 16th, 2023, and International Chef Day, October 20th, 2023, Chef Coco kicked off a monthly series of cooking events for the youth in the downtown Tampa area. She has partnered with Meacham Urban Farm, the ACF Tampa Chapter, Tampa Downtown Partnership, The Encore Tempo Arts District, Tampa Housing Authority, American Culinary Federation Chef to Child Foundation, which she is also it’s Southeast Regional Representative. March 2023, Coco was a keynote speaker at WYN Conferences, “3rd International Women Influencers Network (WIN) and Women Leadership Congress.” where she received an international speaker certification in Paris, France. March 2022 she was honored with the International Health 2.0|Food 2.0 Conference “Outstanding Leadership Award” in Dubai and was also a Keynote Speaker. She was also invited to be a keynote speaker at the Health 2.0|Food 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas April, 2022. As an International Speaker, Coco has spoken by webinar to audiences from 10 countries, including India, USA, Bangladesh, China, Philippines, South Africa, France, Denmark, and Prague and in person to audiences in Dubai, Paris, and the USA.

Coco’s experience spans over 40 years in hospitality, fashion/entertainment, and culinary education. Her culinary and hospitality experience include the New York Plaza Hotel, The former New York Windows on the World Restaurant, Emeril’s Tchoup Chop and GM of the Stay Lodge Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Chef is also currently a Chef Educator at Escoffier School of Culinary Arts online. She mentors young chefs and fashion students in the USA, several countries in Africa and India. She is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and was also an educator at her alma mater. She was the fashion designer and stylist for celebrities such as LL Cool J, Music Producer Teddy Riley, GUY, BlackStreet, Wreckx N Effect, Positive K, Big Daddy Kane, and was assistant designer to Plai from the rap duo Kid N Plai, just to name a few. Her clothing has appeared in the movie House Party 2, TV shows, music videos, magazines, national and international concerts.

Coco was selected by the Super Bowl Committee as a business food vendor for NFL Super Bowl 2021, Tampa. She was also selected by GFEL, (Global Forum for Education and Learning) as one of the Top 100 Leaders in Education and Leadership for 2020. April 2019, Coco was selected by Smithfield Foods and the ACF as one of 40 chefs nationwide for their Smithfield Culinary Partners in Culinary Excellence Program. Coco was selected as New Chefs Fashions Inc.1st Female Chef Elite/Influencer – 2019. Le Cordon Bleu “President’s MVP of Service Award – 2016. Chef Coco was the 1st woman sworn in as 2nd VP of the ACF Atlanta Chefs Association and received the 2015 “Humanitarian of the Year” award. She has held several positions on the ACF Atlanta Board of Directors. She is currently a member of the ACF Tampa Bay Chapter and the ACF Chef to Child Southeast Regional Representative and a mentor for Gleam International. Coco was inducted into the La Chaine des Rotisseurs, 2012, the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, founded in Paris in 1248, and the Disciples of Escoffier International-USA, the premier gastronomic society established to maintain and promote the traditions of French cuisine.

Educator and Mentorship

A Lifestyle of Food & Fashion!

Custom made beaded full length gown made for prom.

Chef wearing self designed chef coat.

Singature black sequin Chef coat.

Chef in the kitchen wearing her signature white sequin Chef coat.