Irena Stein was born in Venezuela. She’s lived in Paris, Brussels and San Francisco before moving to Baltimore, Maryland. The daughter of a Polish father and Venezuelan mother, her family often traveled between the two countries. Not surprisingly, Irena developed international tastes at an early age.

She owns Alma Cocina Latina restaurant, in Baltimore, which serves traditional Venezuelan cuisine. Irena says her love of cooking was inspired by her mother’s homemade meals.

She believes food is the foundation of culture and by sharing it, social barriers can be broken and global conflicts resolved.

You can try Irena’s Caramelized Onion and Roasted Chicken Salad at home.