Carmen Naputi Davis, a seasoned chef with 27 years of culinary experience, has embarked on a mission to bring the authentic flavors of Guam to Los Angeles.

Having worked in establishments such as the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas and Three Squares, Meskla, and Hyatt Regency in Guam, Davis shares that cooking has always been her passion.

Starting off as a pastry chef, Davis found her true calling in CHamoru cuisine after continuing to receive mentorship from owner/chef at Meskla, Peter Duenas. After moving to LA, she noticed a lack of CHamoru food options, sparking her idea to bring the island’s food into the city’s culinary scene. About a year and a half ago, amidst the pandemic, Davis launched her pop-up venture, "Island Smoke N Grill," aiming to fill the gap in the market.

Beginning her journey barbecuing for friends in San Diego, she received positive responses and decided to take a leap of faith.

Davis' pop-up, "Island Smoke N Grill," specializes in Guam's signature dishes, including BBQ chicken, pot roast, and chicken kelaguen. Honing her grilling skills through trial and error, she perfected the art of smoking techniques after a friend gifted her a specialized smoker; A cornerstone of her culinary success.

Embracing the flavors of Guam, Davis tailors her dishes to evoke the essence of the island.

"I take our island flavors and do it. I mix it, I smoke it, and BBQ it. Chamorros like their ribs where you can rip off; I make them fall off but still taste like the island of Guam.”

Davis has been doing great and she knows that with hard work and speaking it into existence, good things will happen. She offers young-comers some words of advice,

“Open your mouth, ask, and you shall receive. Don’t be afraid.”

 

For those interested in following her culinary journey and showing some love, follow her Instagram @islandsmokengrill. She extends her gratitude to her mentors, including Chef Peter Duenas, John Hernandez, Maggie Flores, her mother Doring Leon Guerrero, and her Naputi family, who have supported her throughout her career.