The pandemic has hit the restaurant business hard. That’s creating an opportunity for some immigrant women in Denver
“I love cumin (but) the secret ingredient is love,” she says. “Love with a little bit of passion.”
Hernandez’s mother taught her at a young age to make the traditional dishes of her native Mexico. Those lessons sparked her interest in the culinary arts, which led her to pursue a gastronomy degree.
Now, as the owner of two Denver-area restaurants, Hernandez is putting her skills to use, though her journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing. And the pandemic’s strain on the food and service industries has brought its own set of challenges.
When Hernandez lived in Mexico, she operated a property management company that helped Americans buy property in the country. In 2013, she and her two children moved to Denver to be with her husband.
Within a year of moving to the United States, her marriage fell apart, leaving her with a choice: move back to Mexico or stay in Denver. Either way, she had to start over.
“Well, I’m already here,” she…
