Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bren Herrera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Bren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The idea for my foundation wasn’t something I sat down and brainstormed — it was born out of years of showing up for my community. For almost a decade now, I’ve hosted a Christmas Day meal service where we cook and serve thousands of hot, dignified meals to people in the Washington, DC-area who don’t have the comfort of family or food security during the holidays. What started as “Bren & Friends Serve DC” was just me, my family, and a few friends who believed everyone deserved to feel cared for on Christmas. Over the years, it has grown into something much bigger — hundreds of volunteers, thousands of meals served, businesses stepping up to donate food and supplies and necessary resources.
I remember one particular Christmas morning during the pandemic, walking into the kitchen while it was still dark outside. The ovens were warming, the volunteers were already excited for the day, and I thought: this is what community looks like. Serving during the pandemic was incredibly challenging. It was 10 degrees out and very windy that year so none of us wanted to be outside serving. But there we were — all 30+ of us or so, in this bitter weather, serving. It was in that moment I knew — this wasn’t just an event, this was a movement. And movements need structure if they’re going to grow and make real impact. That’s when the vision for a foundation crystallized.
The emotions and needs were undeniable: joy when I saw children enjoy a delicately served plate of food, gratitude when families told us this meal was the only one they’d share together that day, pride when volunteers said they wanted to come back every year. But it was also practical. I could see the need wasn’t going away, and that our community work was sustainable because we weren’t just relying on my name — we had businesses, churches, schools, and everyday people asking, “What can we do to help?”
That kind of organic buy-in told me this was a worthwhile endeavor. If people were willing to donate their time, food, and resources without being asked twice, then building a foundation would allow us to channel that generosity into something structured, accountable, and scalable.
From a logistical standpoint, I looked at the patterns: nine years of running the Christmas program proved we could mobilize people consistently. The numbers spoke for themselves — thousands of meals, hundreds of volunteers, more than 10,000 service hours logged. Businesses were eager to partner because they saw the visibility and the impact. Schools wanted their students to get involved because it taught them compassion and leadership.
By establishing the Bren Herrera Foundation, I knew we could expand beyond one holiday into multiple signature programs — from summer camps teaching kids about food and culture, to our newly launched “Christmas in July”, to our upcoming cycling fundraiser that bring health and wellness into the conversation. The framework was there — it was already alive, just waiting to be formalized.
What made my approach unique was that it was never top-down or performative — it was organic, rooted in a true grassroots effort and compassion. I didn’t wait for a big sponsor — That JUST happened this year — or a polished plan. I started with what I had and invited people in. Word spread through community circles, social media, and personal networks, and people showed up because they felt the authenticity. That authenticity and my empathy set us apart — we weren’t just serving food, we were building relationships and dignity, one meal and one conversation at a time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I entered the culinary industry in 2006–2007 almost by chance, but with every intention of creating something meaningful. Ironically, the entry point into culinary was through charity experiences I was producing at the the time. At the time, I was searching for a way to express myself that was both artistic and deeply personal. Food became that language. It was the canvas where I could tell stories about where I came from — my Cuban and Jamaican roots, my immigrant experience, my family — and invite people to sit at the table with me. From day one, I wasn’t just cooking to entertain; I was cooking to educate, to connect, and to serve. That spirit of service was always at the center. Whether I was preparing an elegant plated dish or cooking for hundreds of people in need, I saw food as a tool to keep our stories alive; for empowerment and dignity.
Over the years, my creative work has expanded far beyond the kitchen. I write, I host, I produce, I create experiences that merge culture with storytelling. I offer cooking demonstrations to global audiences that are as much about history, resistance and identity as they are about flavor. I consult with brands and companies on representation and inclusion, helping them understand how culture shapes what and how we eat. And I’ve always used my platform to amplify the stories of people who often go unheard.
One of the proudest moments of my career is finally having my own network cooking show — Culture Kitchen on CLEO TV, now going into Season 4. That was a dream realized: a space where I get to celebrate my culture loudly, unapologetically, and joyfully. What makes it most special is being able to bring my entire family into it, especially my Mother. She’s the root of so much of my culinary inspiration, and sharing that with a national audience feels like the most authentic extension of who I am. In every episode, I make sure my culture is represented in its fullness — not watered down, not stereotyped, but vibrant, nuanced, and real.
And television has given me a stage where I thrive. I don’t just appear on screen; I create experiences for viewers. I’m not only a chef, I’m also a TV producer — someone who knows how to shape a narrative, build a visual world, and hold an audience’s attention from the first moment to the last. My unique background — as a Black Latina, an immigrant, and a Spanish-speaking woman — gives me a perspective that is rarely seen, let alone celebrated, in mainstream food and lifestyle television. That lens allows me to tell stories that are layered, soulful, and globally resonant. I offer a completely different approach on camera: it’s educational but playful, celebratory but profound, and always rooted in authenticity.
What I want new audiences to know about me is simple: I am bold and dynamic talent. I am passionate, empathetic, and unwavering in my love for my culture. I live it, breathe it, and teach it. I want people to understand that our tapestry — Cuban, Jamaican, immigrant, Black, Latina — is not only colorful and inviting, but also powerful. We set trends, we create movements, we shape the culture at large. My immigrant journey gave me a unique lens: I know what it means to experience food insecurity, to face language barriers, to assimilate while fighting to keep your identity intact, and to navigate racial challenges in spaces that weren’t always welcoming. All of that shaped me into the woman, chef, producer, and leader I am today.
I think that’s what makes me a unicorn in this industry. I’m not just a chef. I’m a cultural diplomat, a storyteller, a servant leader, and a television force who can move between the kitchen, the boardroom, the stage, and the screen with ease. I can curate a four-course fine-dining Caribbean experience, speak at a Fortune 500 company about diversity and identity, lead hundreds of volunteers to feed the homeless on Christmas Day, and host a show that celebrates my culture with joy — and in each space, I bring the same authenticity, passion, and excellence. That’s rare. And that’s why people connect with me: because I show up fully myself, every single time.
When people read this or watch me, I want them to say, “We love Bren Herrera. She’s not just feeding us food; she’s feeding us culture, love, and truth.”
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think the strength of my reputation has been built on two key pillars: consistency and authenticity. Whether I’m leading a grassroots meal service for the unhoused in Washington, DC, or hosting my cooking show on CLEO TV, people know they’re going to get the same Bren. What you see on camera is who I am off camera — passionate, empathetic, professional, and deeply invested in culture and community. That consistency builds trust, and trust is what sustains both a brand and a movement.
In my foundation work, it’s my commitment and reliability that matter most. For almost a decade, people have seen me show up — year after year, holiday after holiday — to make sure families have a warm, dignified meal. That consistency proved that it wasn’t a one-off gesture; it was a true commitment. In TV, the same applies: audiences can feel when a host is authentic. For me, it’s never about performance for the sake of being on screen — it’s about celebrating my culture honestly and inviting people into that joy. I am committed to keeping our stories alive and relevant so that it’s not forgotten. That genuine energy is why viewers, partners, and networks come back, because they know I deliver every time.
The lesson I’ve learned, and what I share with anyone building their own reputation, is that talent will open doors, but professionalism, commitment, and consistency are what keep them open. You don’t need to reinvent yourself to impress people — you need to show up reliably, deliver at a high level, and let your real passion shine through. That combination has been the through-line of my career, and it’s what continues to set me apart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BrenHerrera.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/BrenHerrera
- Facebook: BrenHerrera77
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenherrera/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brenherrera
Image Credits
TV One
Powerhouse Productions
Bren Herrera