The kitchen at the Fairmont Pittsburgh recently witnessed a delightful collaboration, as a young chef, Prince Wise, brought his culinary vision to life alongside Executive Chef Fernando Canales. What made this collaboration truly special? Prince isn’t your typical chef — he’s a 9-year-old heart transplant recipient with a passion for cooking.

Last week, Prince stepped into the kitchen of fl.2, the restaurant located inside the luxury hotel, to create his signature dish: Prince’s Crab Cake Sandwich & Fries. This dish isn’t just a menu item; it’s part of a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Ten percent of the dish’s sales will go to the nonprofit, which fulfills life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses.

Chef Fernando Canales works with 9-year-old Prince Wise. Photo courtesy of Fairmont Pittsburgh

Prince’s journey to this moment was anything but easy. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and struggles to pump blood effectively. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a critical hospitalization. “Prince passed out on the floor,” said his mother, Chantell Hardin. “His eyes started to roll to the back of the head.”

Doctors acted quickly, using a special heart machine to stabilize him until a transplant became available. After three months of waiting, Prince received his new heart, followed by a long recovery that included relearning how to walk and talk.

Despite the challenges, Prince’s love for cooking never waned. “We are always in the kitchen with the music going,” Hardin said. “He loves to eat. His favorite foods are crab legs, chicken, and sushi.” This passion for food caught the attention of Make-A-Wish, who had already granted Prince’s wish for a trip to Orlando theme parks. When the opportunity arose to work with Chef Canales, the organization knew it would be a perfect fit.

“Prince’s actual wish was to visit the Orlando theme parks, which he did…,” said Stephanie Pugliese, director of development for the local Make-A-Wish chapter. “But we had learned while planning his wish that he loved to cook. So, when this opportunity to create a menu item for Fairmont Pittsburgh came our way, we invited Prince to assist with this.”

We knew he would appreciate the time spent in the kitchen with Chef and learn what it is like being a chef.”

Prince approached the project with the enthusiasm and determination of a seasoned professional. During two visits to fl.2, he worked with Canales to conceptualize and perfect the dish. “I was impressed when he said, ‘Oh I love crabcakes,’ because he’s a kid,” Canales said.

Prince Wise’s crab cake sandwich. Photo courtesy of Fairmont Pittsburgh

Prince’s idea to include avocado earned high praise from the chef. “(Avocado’s) a really good flavor with the crab together,” Canales said. Together, they crafted a sandwich featuring two crabcake patties, avocado, tartar sauce, and thin fries — a detail Prince insisted on, inspired by his love for McDonald’s fries.

The collaboration wasn’t just about creating a dish. It was a celebration of resilience and shared passion. “When I’m in the kitchen, I feel really comfortable, and he feels the same,” Canales said. The restaurant staff even gifted Prince a personalized apron, a chef’s hat, and a set of children’s cooking knives to encourage his culinary pursuits.

For Hardin, watching her son’s dream come to life was emotional. “We burst out in tears,” she said. “This is what he really wants.” She couldn’t help but marvel at her son’s sophisticated taste. “I didn’t know he would go get real fancy,” she said, while laughing. “He rocked it. Everything was so natural for him.”

Prince’s Crab Cake Sandwich & Fries is more than just a meal; it’s a testament to hope, resilience, and the joy of making wishes come true. And for those lucky enough to try it, it’s a dish with heart in every bite.

Sources: Today | Pittsburgh Mag