We in Miami have had the privilege to know her for years, but now Chef Michelle Bernstein is really hitting her stride in the culinary world. Between her numerous awards, acclaimed eateries, and her new line of cookware, she is certainly becoming a household name. Now, she continues to rival the predominantly male culinary greats with an added accolade by being named one of “The 25 Most Influential Women” by People En Espanol.

The October issue of the magazine honors Hispanic women who have risen to the top of their field, as Bernstein continues to do. As a Miami native of Jewish and Latin descent, Bernstein has steadily climbed the culinary ladder since she first hit the scene in the 1990s.

Now, her three Miami restaurants – Michy’s, Sra. Martinez, and the new Design District eatery Crumb on Parchment – are flourishing. In addition, Bernstein has also recently helped launch the Miami chapter of Common Threads, an after-school program that is dedicated to teaching underprivileged children to cook, socialize, and eat healthy.

“I am humbled to be in such beautiful company,” says Bernstein. “Cooking is my passion and it truly fulfills me. I’m so happy doing what I do, and it thrills me that my work brings joy and happiness to others as well.”

Bersntein is joined on the prestigious list by luminaries to include U.S. Supreme Court judge Sonia Sotomayor, talk show host Cristina Saralegui, international superstar Gloria Estefan, award-winning author Isabel Allende, designer Isabel Toledo, journalist and author Maria Celeste Arraras, and many others.

The October issue of People En Espanol is available now on newsstands in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 Miami list, click here.