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A Taste of Oaxaca – Bringing the Heart and Soul of Mexican Cooking to the World: Meet Iliana de la Vega
In celebration of Women’s History Month, GlobalMindED is proud to feature Iliana de la Vega. Iliana de la Vega won worldwide acclaim for her restaurant and cooking school in Oaxaca, El Naranjo, which was featured in numerous newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times and Bon Appetit.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
Growing up in a home where family, culture, traditions, and food were deeply valued laid the foundation for my journey. These influences shaped my appreciation for the connection between food and community. A pivotal moment came when my husband and I decided to open our first restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was a dream rooted in our love for Oaxacan cuisine and culture. However, social turmoil in Oaxaca led to an economic collapse, forcing us to close the restaurant and move to the United States—a challenging yet transformative chapter in our lives.
After settling in Austin, we decided to make it our home and, against all odds, opened El Naranjo restaurant. This was a significant milestone, representing resilience and determination. My professional journey expanded further when I joined The Culinary Institute of America as their Latin/Mexican cuisines specialist, an opportunity that allowed me to share my passion for Mexican culinary traditions on a broader scale. One of the most rewarding moments of my career was being honored with the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2022, a recognition that celebrates my commitment to excellence and the rich culinary heritage of Mexico.
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned about yourself through your personal and professional experiences?
I’ve learned that there are no limits to what you can achieve if you prepare, learn, study, and work hard.
I’ve discovered that I’m a dedicated hard worker with a strong attention to detail. I find immense joy in making people happy through my food and strive to be fair and give credit to the people I work with.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My passion to serve comes from a happy place—the desire to treat everyone with kindness and respect, just as I would like to be treated. I believe in being thoughtful, supportive, and always helping others when I can.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change anything about my life, but I wish I had known how hard it is to be a chef, cook, and restaurateur!
How can GlobalMindED help women like you?
GlobalMindED can be an invaluable partner for women like me by providing a platform to connect with like-minded leaders, share experiences, and access resources that empower us to grow both personally and professionally.
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