A local Hispanic chef-owner is mentoring the next generation of Hispanic cooks and chefs through a program called “Old Ways, New Hands,” which aims to inspire Latinos in the community who have a passion for cooking.
Chef Richard Sandoval, who owns Tamayo in Larimer Square and Toro in Cherry Creek, heads the program. He selected five chefs, foodies and entrepreneurs from across the country to participate, including two from Colorado, one of whom is Gemma Aguayo-Murphy.
Aguayo-Murphy, a food blogger from Aurora, was among the group that traveled to Cabo, Mexico, with Sandoval for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I’m still in disbelief about what a wonderful experience it was and how much I learned,” Aguayo-Murphy said.
The participants had the opportunity to learn from Sandoval, honing their cooking skills and gaining insights into becoming food entrepreneurs.
“We got to see how Chef Sandoval thinks through a menu, how he thinks about recipes, how he manages a large team, and how he is able to open restaurants around the world,” Aguayo-Murphy said. “He also taught us what to look for in textures and spices when creating recipes.”