Chef Jorgina Pereira was a social worker and spent almost 17 years in information technology before she needed a new challenge. 

 “[I thought] the biggest challenge is going to be being my own boss,” Pereira said. “I wanted to cook. Also, I wanted to represent Brazil in the way of my godmother.” 

Pereira would watch her godmother cook and it inspired her. “I wanted to bring those recipes into my life again,” she said. 

Now, Pereira is founder and chef of the Brazilian restaurant Sinha Elegant Cuisine, which celebrates the diverse influences on that culture’s food.

“To this day, I’m still looking for those tastes from the past and [I will try recipes] until I get that same flavor,” Pereira said.

Chef Jorgina Pereira will be competing in WBEZ’s 10th Annual Chicago Chef Battle.