For Lorena García (Caracas, Venezuela, 53 years old) the most important thing is dialogue, making use of one’s own voice. And for her, a table with shared food is the best setting for it. This chef, who has been living and working in the United States for more than 30 years, is one of the most recognizable faces in the country’s culinary world. Television star for his appearance in numerous programs and realities, An established businesswoman with restaurants in different cities and in some of the most important airports in the country, as well as an activist against childhood obesity and malnutrition in the United States, García is difficult to pigeonhole. Politically independent, he does not let on which side his own vote will go in the November elections, the fourth presidential election in which he will participate. He is concerned about taxes and condemns the Venezuelan regime without nuances — “for me, they are the fascists,” he says at one point in the conversation with EL PAÍS — but he also advocates for greater regulation around weapons, he is concerned about limiting access to abortion and defending free, healthy meals in all public schools. Where he leaves no room for doubt is in his commitment to campaigning for people to vote and for Latinos to make themselves felt. “It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the important thing is to vote,” he emphasizes.
Ask. As a woman, Latina, chef, businesswoman, what concerns you most when you see the current political landscape in the United States?
Answer. One of the things that worries me the most is that the decisions made in governments are now felt much more on a personal level. Maybe before, whether the Democrats or the Republicans won, in terms of everyday life it wasn’t felt as much as it is today. And I am independent, so I think it is important to vote to make your voice and what you think known, educate yourself and know who the candidates are and what their guidelines are.
Q. And how did you decide to be independent?
R. Idealistically, I’m a Republican, but I’m very liberal, so I’m a Democrat too. In the end, for me, it’s really about what the candidates have the opportunity to do and who I identify with most. In fact, I have been involved with several voter campaigns. So, I think it’s super important to make ourselves feel. It doesn’t matter who you vote for. The important thing is to vote.
Q. In these elections, specifically, what is your main personal motivation?
R. There are two topics that are very important. The first is the economy, because it is the livelihood of my family, it is my businesses. I am an entrepreneur and so that directly attacks my livelihood. And second, something that has been increasing in importance to me over time is gun control in the United States. I have my 8-year-old son and every time I take him to school it is anguish. The idea that a child can walk into a school with a gun and kill five people, that to me is something that… While it is true that I support all the commandments of the Constitution of the United States, I also feel that it has to There is a very important regulation for access to weapons.
Q. Do you aspire to impact the elections in some way and how?
R. Of course. My impact is to join campaigns that promote the exercise of voting. Don’t stay at home thinking it doesn’t matter or this doesn’t affect me. Of course yes, everything affects us in a personal way. It is a privilege to vote in the United States, this country that opens its doors to us and accepts us with our culture. But that also carries a very great responsibility to contribute and add to our communities. You don’t necessarily have to be a Republican or Democrat to exercise your right to vote.
Q. Venezuela is currently at the center of immigration debates. How does it feel to see your country’s name in such a negative light?
R. In a way I feel with a high sense of responsibility as a Venezuelan migrant to show that we are workers and that we can contribute a lot to this community. You cannot generalize the immigrant when this country is made by immigrants. As a chef, everyone in my kitchen is an immigrant. When you go to the fields and see the hard work, it is the immigrants who do it.
Q. What would you like to hear at the rhetorical level but also at the policy level regarding immigration?
R. I feel a discrepancy. How do you explain to me that there could be a terrorist band, which is the Aragua train? How did those people get in? When I have friends, workers with careers that could be supported here and can’t come. They have no way to get there, they have no way to get a work permit. So I would very much like to see in these candidates that there could be a path towards legalization for immigrants who are thrown out workers. forward. And let all these criminal gangs get rid of them.
Q. What role can gastronomy play in building bridges in such a polarized society?
R. There is something that happens at the table that I feel very strongly about and for which I am a chef. It is transforming that experience into a connection. At the table the walls come down and we can have an honest conversation. Miracles happen at the table. And everything about those cuisines and those dishes that make you connect with a culture. As a chef, I think that the culinary world and the world of hospitality form a fundamental part of these processes and it seems to me that it should be used more.
Q. And on a more social level, how have you seen the Latin culinary cultural presence in the United States change since you arrived 30 years ago until now?
R. The word is abysmal. I’ll give an example. When I was very young, having an accent was a problem for me. I couldn’t get a job in communications, television, which I love. Today is what makes me special and I am perhaps an attractive point in all these programs where I represent Latin culture. The American world has seen and realized that. And that is why I believe that today you see much more representation of Latinos in any field.
Q. One of the causes that he has made his own is the fight against obesity. What gaps are there in the debate around this?
R. I believe that awareness that the people who are going to feed us are our children is very important. Through my organization Big Chef, Little Chef, what we do is give classes to children in low-income public schools to teach them how to eat healthily. I am also linked to another organization dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger: I believe that all children in the United States have the right to have a free meal. Even in the summer, when there is no school. If these programs led by organizations reach the level of the State, of decisions, of policies, that would be enormously satisfying. It’s about doing my bit. Education is needed, so that they know that natural foods and not ultra-processed foods are better, healthier and cheaper. There is much more to do.
#Lorena #García #chef #path #legalization #immigrant #workers