In this episode of “eat by traveling or traveling by eating” we delve into women’s leadership in rural kitchens across Latin America—a leadership that has existed for generations without being acknowledged, yet has sustained entire food, cultural, and economic systems in these regions.

This episode is dedicated to Maura Caldas, a traditional cook from the Colombian Pacific, a teacher of ancestral knowledge, and one of those women who paved the way when recognition and visibility were not yet on the agenda. Through her story, we explore the role of women who, from their kitchens, have preserved recipes, techniques, and ways of life that are now fundamental to understanding our gastronomic identity.

We discuss oral transmission, the knowledge that lives within the body, the deep connection between cuisine and the land, and how these women have been quiet leaders in their communities.

We also examine real-world examples in countries like Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Colombia, where programs, initiatives, and processes have begun to highlight and strengthen the role of traditional cooks, demonstrating that this is not merely a cultural issue but a concrete opportunity for economic, social, and regional development.

Throughout the episode, you’ll find stories, facts, and reflections that invite us to question the way we travel, consume, and understand gastronomy.

This isn’t just an episode to inspire.

It’s an invitation to recognize, value, and take action.

Because behind every dish there’s a story.

And many of those stories… have been carried on by women.

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