We were lucky to catch up with Amalia Moreno-Damgaard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amalia, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?
One of the things Corporate America often gets wrong in my industry is viewing Latin culture through a monolithic lens. There’s a tendency to lump all Latin American countries, traditions, and cuisines into one box, which not only oversimplifies the rich diversity we bring but also misses the opportunity for deeper connection and understanding.
I once consulted with a company launching a “Latin-inspired” food line. The packaging featured stereotypical imagery and flavors that didn’t align with the region they supposedly represented. When I asked about the origin of the recipes, it became clear they hadn’t involved any cultural experts in the development process. They meant well, but the lack of authenticity could have alienated the very audience they were trying to reach.
That’s why I advocate for cultural storytelling rooted in lived experience. When we take the time to understand the unique nuances, from Guatemalan tortillas shaped by centuries of tradition to the distinct foodways across the 21 Latin countries, we create better products and more inclusive workplaces and communities. It matters because culture is not a trend. It’s identity. And getting it right builds trust and lasting impact.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Amalia Moreno-Damgaard, an award-winning author, chef, and cultural strategist. I was born and raised in Guatemala and came to the U.S. with a passion for sharing my heritage. My background is a blend of traditional Latin American upbringing and corporate America experience, which gives me a unique perspective on culture, business, and community engagement.
After a successful corporate banking career, I pursued my lifelong love for food and storytelling and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, followed by continued studies at the Culinary Institute of America. I launched Amalia Latin Gourmet to bridge cultural gaps through cuisine, education, and innovation.
My work lives at the intersection of food, culture, and communication. Through speaking engagements, culinary experiences, consulting, media appearances, and cultural lifestyle products, I help organizations and individuals understand and appreciate Latin America’s rich and diverse heritage. My services are especially relevant to companies looking to connect more meaningfully with multicultural audiences, whether that’s through product development, employee engagement programs, cultural events, or thought leadership opportunities.
What sets me apart is my deep cultural fluency, worldwide travel experience, and ability to make traditions approachable and relevant for today’s audiences. I don’t just cook food, I tell the stories behind it. From Indigenous traditions and ancestral techniques to modern wellness trends, I bring a holistic view that educates, inspires, and resonates.
I’m proud to have written two award-winning cookbooks:
Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen – Gourmet Cuisine with a Cultural Flair
Amalia’s Mesoamerican Table – Ancient Traditions with Modern Culinary Infusions
These books aren’t just collections of recipes, they are platforms for cultural preservation and education.
I also appear regularly on TV and radio, including Twin Cities Live, MPR News, and Telemundo-MN, and have been featured in National Geographic, PBS, Forbes BrandVoice, The New York Times, and more. I love using media as a tool to elevate cultural understanding.
Beyond my professional work, I’m passionate about mentoring women entrepreneurs and serving on nonprofit boards. I recently received the 2024 National Woman Business Owner of the Year Award from NAWBO National, and I’m the immediate past president of NAWBO-MN. I’m also a proud co-founder of Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota.
What I want people to know is this: My work is about more than just food. It’s about preserving traditions, fostering unity, and promoting well-being through cultural awareness. I use food as a gateway to deeper conversations about identity, equity, and connection.
If you’re looking for a partner who can bring authenticity, depth, and heart to your next event, initiative, or project, I’d love to connect.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that stands out in my journey is the leap I took from corporate America to the culinary world, a decision that required courage and conviction.
After years of working in international banking, I realized that while I was successful on paper, I wasn’t fulfilled. I missed the vibrancy and soul of my Guatemalan roots, especially the food and the stories that came with it. Leaving a stable career and starting over in a completely different industry where few looked like me or shared my background, was daunting. But I knew I had something important to share.
I enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu, often being one of the oldest and only Latina students in the room. There were moments of doubt, moments where I questioned if I had made the right choice, but I kept going. I studied hard, trained rigorously, and immersed myself not just in technique, but in reconnecting with ancestral traditions I had learned growing up.
Then came the challenge of building a brand from the ground up, as a woman, an immigrant, and a Latina entrepreneur. Some doors didn’t open easily. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, speak up when my culture was being misunderstood or misrepresented, and educate others. I said “no” when opportunities didn’t value my time, experience, or heritage, and “yes” to projects that aligned with my mission, even if they required more risk and patience.
Over time, my work began to resonate. From keynote stages and national TV features to award-winning cookbooks and corporate consulting, I saw that my voice, and my story, mattered.
Resilience, to me, is about honoring your roots while pushing forward to create space where there wasn’t any before. It’s about turning obstacles into stepping stones and never losing sight of your purpose. That’s what I’ve lived, and that’s what I try to model every day through my brand and my work.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Yes, I had to make a major pivot during the pandemic. Practically overnight, all my in-person speaking engagements, culinary events, and cultural presentations were canceled or indefinitely postponed. It was a difficult moment, both emotionally and professionally, because I thrive on personal connection and sharing experiences face-to-face.
But I also knew I couldn’t wait for things to go back to normal. So I leaned into innovation and quickly transitioned my offerings to a virtual format. I reimagined how to bring food, culture, and storytelling to life through a screen, creating dynamic, interactive presentations that still captured the energy and richness of Latin America. From virtual cooking presentations and cultural talks to corporate programs and team-building events, I built new ways to engage audiences from coast to coast.
That pivot not only sustained my business, it transformed it. I now offer hybrid experiences, which blend the intimacy of in-person events with the flexibility and reach of virtual platforms. My work with corporate clients has grown nationwide (and worldwide through global companies) as a result, allowing me to connect with employee resource groups, leadership teams, and organizations seeking deeper cultural understanding and engagement.
Looking back, I see the pivot not just as a survival move, but as an evolution. It helped me expand my impact, embrace technology, and show that culture, when shared with heart and authenticity, transcends any format.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amaliallc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaliamorenodamgaard/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amalia.morenodamgaard
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaliamorenodamgaard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnq16qOnNvu_AwhJ7wK2A6A
