A TASTE OF HOME: UNEARTHING MY ROOTS THROUGH CULINARY ARTS

About the author: Kevin Cronise is a Culinary Institute of America student passionate about teamwork, nurturing people through food, and the art of hospitality.

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College has always seemed so far away for me. I was born in El Salvador and lived at a children’s home called La Casa De Mi Padre until I was eighteen months old. My mother and father came to EL Salvador to visit my aunt, who opened the home after an earthquake in 2001 left many children without parents. Although they had no intention of adopting a child on that trip, they met me and changed their minds. That changed my world.

Years later, during middle school in Virginia, I participated in a foreign exchange program in Bolivia, where I lived with a family for six weeks. I attended school with my Bolivian brother and sister and joined them at all their family meals and gatherings. I had many eye-opening, enriching, and fun experiences in Bolivia that led to my love of exploring cultural foods. One event that stands out in my memory is attending my first Quinceañera. I had no idea what to expect, but the experience was better than I imagined. The whole family celebrated and danced to music with all their friends. Little kids ran around playing tag, uncles played soccer while drunk, and Spanish music blasted. Everyone had a smile on their face, celebrating the girl turning fifteen. I realized then that food and the experiences around it bring out our genuine selves. Food is life. This environment was new to me because, in America, we usually eat some box mix cake, sing Happy Birthday, and then leave the party. But, in Bolivia, everyone was dressed in their swagger and ready to party their hearts out all night. And food was at the center.

I found it all very surreal. I was initially nervous, but after a while, my Bolivian brother got me dancing. Eventually, I became the center of attention when I didn’t mean to. I even danced with the birthday girl, although I had not met her before that night. Everyone spoke Spanish, and I had no idea what they were saying. However, at the same time, I felt like I belonged. Because I was adopted at a young age, I never fully experienced the cultures of Central and South America. I understood that this was what I was missing in life. I felt happy, sad, confused, and overwhelmed. I felt all of it. 

Before traveling to Bolivia, I never wanted to talk to new people. I usually just went by a “speak when spoken to” deal. I’m not eager to start a conversation because I am naturally shy. However, my trip to Bolivia made me step out of my comfort zone and helped me feel less nervous. It’s interesting meeting new people and experiencing new things. I discovered that I loved pupusas filled with ground beef and jalapeños, and, for months after returning home, I listened to a South American pop playlist that I put together from my travels. After all, food and music can go hand in hand. But mostly, I learned that the Spanish language, food, and culture make me feel more connected to myself and more genuine. I want to create this for others.

After all these experiences, I have come to one realization: not to fear what is next or unfamiliar. As I try to discover who I am and what I am, these experiences have led me to find the Culinary Institute of America. My next step is to hone my skills, and CIA will contribute to my journey of exploring world cuisines and the experiences we have around them. I’m excited to continue my journey to my true self and express it to the world. 

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