By Don Krim
Jóvenes Adelante is pleased to welcome Chef Adriana Vanessa Domínguez Espinosa as secretary of the board. Outgoing Secretary Janice Lingley has taken over as president-elect. The author continues as president for one more year and will then serve as past president and director of development.
Vanessa specializes in traditional regional and indigenous Mexican cuisine, with experience in the restaurant industry for over 15 years. As a small business owner, Vanessa has two trademarks created by her: the “Moles con Historia” (moles with history) brand of moles and gourmet sauces (www.molesconhistoria.com) and “Un Bocado de Historia” (a bite of history) (www.unbocadodehistoria.com), which features gastronomic routes and cooking classes for foreigners.
Vanessa frequently consults, trains, and teaches on regional cuisine topics, including creating and elaborating on menus for hotels and restaurants internationally. She is the author of a book of collected favorite recipes, “El Corazón en un Bocado” (the heart in a bite), published in 2020.
Lover of Mexican gastronomy and its history, Vanessa is passionate about continuing to teach and has created an online class program “Tertulias Gastronómicas” (gastronomic gatherings) on the history of gastronomy.
Vanessa has a second career as a social worker and received her Bachelor of Social
Work from UNAM’s National School of Social Work. Her specialization—Cooperativism and Social and Solidarity Economy—culminated with a thesis in the area of food sovereignty and sustainable agri-food systems. Vanessa is a member of the civil movement Sin Maiz, No Hay País (without corn, there is no country) and constantly participates in activities related to this movement with UNAM.
As a college student, teacher, businesswoman, chef, and social worker who recently located to San Miguel de Allende from Mexico City, Vanessa adds a unique flavor to Jóvenes Adelante, not only as a board member but as a mentor (not to mention that we have the privilege of enjoying Vanessa’s food!) Welcome Vanessa!
For more information about Jóvenes Adelante, visit jovenesadelante.org.
