Dennis explores the themes of belonging, well-being, and cultural identity through the lens of food.

He emphasizes the importance of personal flavor and the stories behind our meals, encouraging listeners to embrace their culinary heritage. In this engaging conversation, Dennis Arvizu delves deep into the vital themes of belonging, well-being, and cultural identity through the captivating lens of food. He passionately underscores the significance of personal flavor and the rich stories woven into our meals, urging listeners to fully embrace their culinary heritage. The discussion seamlessly transitions to the idea that cooking is not just about sustenance; it is a powerful form of self-expression and an opportunity for active listening that connects us to our roots and to one another. As the conversation wraps up, it focuses on sustainable food practices that not only honor our cultural traditions but also cultivate a profound sense of belonging and community. Embrace the power of food to transform lives and strengthen connections! The discussion transitions into how cooking serves as a form of self-expression and active listening, ultimately connecting individuals to their roots and community. The conversation concludes with a focus on sustainable food practices that honor cultural traditions while fostering a sense of belonging.

This week, we're exploring a culinary tradition where every dish is "made with so much love."

I am honored to welcome Pastry Chef Ashley Wong, the brilliant creator behind Ashley Wong Sweets, for a conversation about the heart and soul of Southern hospitality.

Join us as Chef Ashley shares her personal and professional journey, from the family recipes passed down through generations to her experience competing on the Food Network.

We discuss why nostalgia is such a powerful ingredient, how cooking techniques carry our history, and why open-mindedness is essential for any true food lover.

This is a story about community, craftsmanship, and the sweet legacy that is baked into every one of her creations.

From molcajete to masala: mismas técnicas, distintos nombres. Chef Francisco comparte cómo encontró su sazón entre México, India y USA—tostando especias, moliéndolas con intención, y cocinando con corazón (gracias, Abuela).

Spanglish en la cocina = identidad en voz alta.

In this engaging conversation, Dennis Arvizu and Chef Diego Alcántara explore the intricate relationship between culture and food, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, community, and flavor.

They share personal anecdotes about culinary experiences, the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a social media-driven world, and the significance of educating the next generation of food lovers.

The discussion highlights the essence of flavor as a cultural identity and the joy of cooking that transcends perfection.

In this all-Spanish episode of Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable, we sit down with Chef Diego Alcántara, a Peruvian chef currently based in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to explore how ancestral knowledge, indigenous ingredients, and culinary justice are redefining the global food narrative.

He reflects on his grandmother’s teachings, why he left fine dining, and how food is more than just nourishment—it’s identity, resistance, and love.

🎧 Part 1 of a 2-part interview. Part 2 drops Tuesday.

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Tiktok: @diegoalcantara.peru

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🌎 Welcome to a deeply personal episode of Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable — El Recalentado Edition.

In this solo episode, Dennis Arvizu takes the mic to answer a question many listeners have asked: “¿Quién es este huevón?” (Who is this guy?)

From growing up in San Diego, feeling ni de aquí ni de allá, to becoming a French-trained chef, a cultural sustainability strategist at Microsoft and Google, and a bilingual storyteller, Dennis shares a raw, reflective journey of what it means to live between cultures — and to find your sazón (flavor, essence, identity).

This isn’t your typical “abuela’s recipe” story. Dennis grew up sin abuelos, learning instead through kitchens, coworkers, and comida. He connects culinary medicine, immigrant resilience, corporate dining, and cocina a lo pobre to reveal how our roots are more powerful than we think.

💬 In this episode:

• Spanglish as a real, lived language—not broken, but bridge-building.

• Why comida casera (home-cooked food) is the original zero-waste movement.

• How French kitchens, Peruvian fine dining, and Indian spice masalas shaped a cultural identity.

• The hidden story behind simple food — from dal to caldo, frijoles to chana.

• Navigating chronic illness, surgery, and healing through storytelling and plant-centric foods.

👨‍🍳 Whether you’re bicultural, a child of immigrants, or just craving connection through culture and food, this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even cry.

🎧 Listen now. Share later. And never forget—your sazón is sacred.

Bienvenidos to Season 2 of Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable! Before zero waste was trending, mi abuela was already teaching sustainability through El Recalentado—that sacred Latino tradition where yesterday’s frijoles become today’s refritos. Join Dennis Arvizu as he unpacks how home cooking and cultural wisdom create the original zero waste lifestyle. From barbacoa to enchiladas, discover why food always tastes better the second day and how these moments build stronger communities. Grab your cafecito de la olla and pull up a chair for authentic Spanglish storytelling about sabor, cultura, y sustentabilidad.

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Does your food have "sazón," or has it been transformed into a monocultural phenomenon for likes? In the Season 1 finale of Global Roots Rambles, we explore how viral food trends are creating a "hyper-flattening" of culture, where visual shock and cheese pulls replace context. The #food category now gets more weekly views than Netflix has worldwide subscribers. But what is the cost to our heritage?

In this Spanglish episode, we ask: Do you remember the roots of a dish, or just the trailer with a filter? We uncover the hidden stories behind hard-shell tacos and mac-and-cheese, revealing the "surplus politics" and colonial history written in our daily flavors.

Key Takeaways:

(01:48) How Do Viral Food Trends Affect Cultural Recipes?

(04:28) What is the Connection Between Comfort Food and Colonialism?

(07:04) How is Social Media Shaping Our Food Culture?

(11:15) Why is Ancestral Wisdom Key to Food Sustainability?

(14:00) How Can We Build a Sustainable Food Future?

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