“The pantry is a lot different than the office. The pantry has its own world. Being over in the pantry is a lot of fun and I know I make life easier for Julie because the knowledge I have about food helps a lot. We make a good team.” – Luis Orozco
Luis Orozco
Photo By/Courtesy of Luis Orozco
Luis Orozco’s life in food began at a very young age. Inspired by a pan salesman, who set his pans ablaze, Luis decided to become a chef. As a young teenager, Luis’s grandfather sent him on a bus to New York where he would later receive training in the culinary arts. Following his graduation, cooking took Luis around the world and back to El Paso, Texas, where he worked at many local restaurants. After Luis suffered a heart attack on the job, he sought a life where he can still do work he enjoyed without the stress of a busy kitchen. That’s when he found the Borderland Rainbow Center. There, Luis began volunteering at the food pantry, and since then has found a new family and purpose - serving El Paso’s various communities through food. (June 18, 2022)
“I’m a damn good chef, and I show it.”
Videos
1. Becoming Chef Luis
2. Proud Chef
3. Borderland Rainbow Center
4. Luis' Full Food Story (Audio)
Resources
Scholarly Reflection: “Queer Work and the Professional Kitchen” (Coming Soon.)
Scholarly Sources: “Intersections of Food, Labor, and LGBT Histories” (Coming Soon)
Full Food Story (Audio): UTEP's Institute of Oral History (Coming Soon)
Videos
1. Becoming Chef Luis
2. Proud Chef
3. Borderland Rainbow Center
4. Luis' Full Food Story (Audio)
Resources
Scholarly Reflection: “Queer Work and the Professional Kitchen” (Coming Soon.)
Scholarly Sources: “Intersections of Food, Labor, and LGBT Histories” (Coming Soon)
Full Food Story (Audio): UTEP's Institute of Oral History (Coming Soon)