AFC Homegrown Foodways Film

Amanda Meeks

El Camino del Mole a New Orleans El Camino del Mole a New Orleans chronicles the story of Ivan Castillo, originally from Veracruz, who immigrated to New Orleans after Katrina. He began working in clean up and reconstruction but soon moved to the restaurant industry. He worked in multiple kitchens, then as head cook in a Honduran-owned restaurant. In pursuit of more autonomy, he opened a street food vending business in a local flea market with his partner, Gilberto. The two have dabbled in multiple cooking venues across greater New Orleans– including their current restaurant project “Antojitos Garibaldi.” At the same time they have been integral in supporting the LGBTQ+ community through their Miss Gay Latina …

AFC Homegrown Foodways Film

Amanda Meeks

El Camino del Pan a Baltimore chronicles the life of José Vargas, owner of a bakery and taqueria located in Highlandtown, a neighborhood in East Baltimore. Vargas migrated to Baltimore from Huaquechula, Mexico and decided to build on his family tradition of baking bread. José’s story began in Mexico with his family’s bakery, but after arriving in Baltimore he established a business selling Mexican fare using a pushcart stationed in Patterson Park. His first brick and mortar location was a bakery located in the Greektown neighborhood amidst a dwindling European immigrant community. With support from family and friends, he has since grown into a four-business enterprise—a bakery, taqueria, bar, and restaurant in Essex. Traditions of waking …