Written by: Lucas King
September 15th-October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month, and Common Threads wants to acknowledge the impact of Hispanic-Americans on nutrition and education. It is important to note the difference between the terms “Hispanic,” and “Latinx.” As noted in a recent NPR article, the word Hispanic is an English translation of the Spanish word, “Hispano,” meaning a person whose cultural traditions originate in Spain, and refers to those with a background in a Spanish-speaking country. The terms Latino/Latina/Latinx refer to a person with a background in any Latin American country. Hispanic chefs, educators, and leaders have brought necessary diversity to the culinary world in the United States, and have been essential to nutritional health and education. Here are just a few of the many Hispanic-Americans who have left their mark on the world.
Jose Andres
Born in the northern region of Asturias, Spain, internationally-recognized chef Jose Andres is a pioneer in the culinary world. Andres is accredited with bringing tapas into the American public eye, and popularizing the dish in his restaurants. Aside from his culinary innovations, Andres has dedicated countless hours to nutrition education, as well as charitable efforts to end world hunger, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2010, Andres formed World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides smart solutions to end hunger and poverty by using the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies. He also teaches, “The World On a Plate: How Food Shapes Civilization,” a course at George Washington University, and works with The School Without Walls to create a high school curriculum that uses food-related examples in the teaching of traditional academic subjects. Andres has been awarded with many culinary and humanitarian acknowledgements throughout his career, including the 2015 National Humanities Medal. Follow Jose Andres on Instagram & Twitter at @chefjoseandres!
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Chef Michelle Bernstein
Chef Michelle Bernstein has perfected the art of Latin cuisine. Born and raised in Miami, Bernstein is of Argentine and Jewish descent, and has stuck to her roots throughout her culinary journey. Bernstein is a member of Common Threads’ national board, and brought Common Threads programming into South Florida more than a decade ago, personally securing funding for the first year of operations, while also volunteering to teach the first classes with her restaurant staff. In addition to her work with Common Threads, she is the co-owner of Michelle Bernstein Catering, owns multiple restaurants throughout South Florida, and can frequently be seen on television. Bernstein is often sought out by restaurants and chefs for menu and concept development, and is a James Beard Foundation award winner. This month she opened La Cañita, a restaurant in downtown Miami she co-owns with her husband, restaurateur David Martinez. Follow Michelle Bernstein on Instagram and Twitter at @chefmichy!
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Chef Lorena Garcia
Former law school student turned celebrity chef, Lorena Garcia did not always think she would be cooking professionally for a living. Garcia, born in Venezuela, originally intended on pursuing a career in law, but soon realized she had a different calling, and began taking cooking classes in the United States. She has focused her career on bringing Latin flavors to a wider audience, and has been successful in doing so. Outside of her culinary endeavors, Garcia works with her very own nonprofit aimed at fighting childhood obesity, Big Chef, Little Chef. The program is aimed at helping children and families make healthier choices, and take control of their eating habits. Since opening her first restaurant in 2002, Garcia has continued to bring her culinary innovations to more locations throughout the country, including Chica, a restaurant with locations in Miami and Las Vegas. Follow Lorena Garcia on Instagram at @cheflorena and on Twitter at @lorenagarcia
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Chef Aaron Sanchez
Chef and owner of Johnny Sanchez in New Orleans, Aaron Sanchez has dedicated much of his career to celebrating Latin cuisine. Sanchez has appeared on many television programs, and currently serves as a judge on MasterChef and MasterChef Junior. He is also the creative director of Cocina, an online platform focused on showcasing Latin lifestyle through its vibrant culinary culture. In 2016, Sanchez launched the Aaron Sanchez Scholarship Fund (ASSF). The initiative aims to empower young chefs from the Latin community by awarding recipients full culinary scholarships in New York City, and providing them with ongoing mentorship. Sanchez is also a James Beard award winner and was recognized by the Hispanic Federation with the Premio Orgullo Award for being a leader in the Hispanic community. Follow Aaron Sanchez on Instagram at @chefaaronsanchez and on Twitter at @aaronsanchez!
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Pepe Badia
Joseph “Pepe” Badia is the President of Badia Spices. Born in Cuba, Badia and his family fled to the United States in the 1960s. Badia’s father, Jose, founded Badia Spices in 1967, with Pepe joining him in 1970. The two worked closely together, as Badia focused on expanding Badia Spices further into the South Florida community. Now, Badia Spices is one of today’s leading family-owned Hispanic food companies, supplying national and global markets with quality products at an affordable price. Throughout his life, Pepe Badia and his company have worked with charitable organizations, and has made a significant impact on the Miami and South Florida communities, supporting many causes including Common Threads.
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Ingrid Hoffman
Starting her professional career in the fashion industry, Ingrid Hoffmann once owned a luxury boutique in Miami before pivoting into the culinary world. Born in Colombia, she has focused her culinary career on sharing healthy Latin dishes with the world. Hoffmann created her very own food brand, Cocina by Ingrid Hoffmann, which aims to provide families with easy, healthy, delicious meal solutions. She has garnered a large following, in both English and Spanish-speaking communities, inspiring her to publish her cookbooks in both languages. Hoffmann collaborated with the American Diabetes Association to publish her latest cookbook, Latin Comfort Foods Made Healthy, which focuses on Latin favorites that keep the family’s health in mind. She has used her platform to give back to the community. Hoffmann serves as a board member of New York City’s Food and Education Fund and Miami’s Amigos for Kids, and is an active supporter of Manhattan’s Food and Finance High School. She has also conducted personal initiatives in obtaining aid for hurricane relief for Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane María and Hurricane Dorian. Follow Ingrid Hoffmann on Instagram at @ingridhoffmannofficial and on Twitter at @ingridhoffmann!
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Jesus Salgueiro
Jesus Salgueiro is a visual artist, and co-founder of Common Threads. Born in Venezuela, Salgueiro left for the United States in 1979. After Salgueiro and Chef Art Smith spent time cooking for New York families impacted by 9/11, they were inspired by the power of food to heal by bringing people together by celebrating traditions and understanding culture while enjoying the benefits of healthy, nutritious meals. Salgueiro’s experience as a global visual artist inspired Common Threads’ focus on culture and diversity.
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Pedro Noguera
Pedro Noguera Ph.D. is the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education. Born in New York City, Noguera is of Venezuelan, Trinidadian, and Jamaican descent. He began his career in scholarship by studying adult education and political change in the Caribbean. Noguera has focused his education on getting people to see how conditions outside of the classroom, including nutrition and health, can affect students’ performance within the classroom. He is very involved in education policy, bringing many innovative ideas and suggestions to the table, including prioritizing the mental and physical health of students. Noguera’s goal is to transform the way we teach students by embracing a student-centric approach, as he is firm that education must be central for any change to occur. Follow Pedro Noguera on Twitter at @pedroanoguera!
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