Mi Apogeo: Some scholars say that food is our deepest connection to our culture of origin. We get the sense from your site and your book that there are a lot of things about Latino culture that you love, not just the food. Can you talk to us about that?
Elsie Ramos: I love the music. I love Puerto Rico. I love the food, the food, the food! [laughs] I love the Puerto Rican Day Parade, I grew up with that; that was something that gave me goosebumps. I love the heritage. I love to see people doing things -- my sister became a lawyer, without help from anyone -- and people aspiring to do better things, things we’re not used to seeing in our culture. I think food and the music are the most synonymous with our culture. Mi Apogeo: Do you speak Spanish with your family?
Elsie Ramos: Not as much as I should. I just got used to speaking in English with my boys. Mi Apogeo: Do you listen to Latin music, do your sons enjoy Latin music?
Elsie Ramos: Oh yes, and dancing, I should say dancing! My kids are getting older, they’re starting to date, and I tell them all the time, if you really want to get the girls, learn how to dance salsa!
Mi Apogeo: Do your sons cook?
Elsie Ramos: My son Mark, one of the twins, said to me he’d like to go to culinary school. When my book came out, he actually cooked some of my recipes for his girlfriend. It was nice. Now he’s encouraged. We’ll see. [laughs]
Mi Apogeo: We have a couple more questions for you. We’d like to know, what does being Latina mean to you, in addition to your career, to you as a person, as an individual?
Elsie Ramos: Hmm... fiery, determined; we’ve certainly come a long way from our mothers. Aspiring; sexy. We’re not afraid of the stereotype, we are a sexy culture! [laughs] Motherly, there is a motherly instinct in every Latina. Strong. Mi Apogeo: What does “Mi Apogeo” mean to you?
Elsie Ramos: My inspiration. My desire.
Mi Apogeo: What would you say to a young man or woman who wanted to be the next Elsie Ramos, if they wanted to do what you’re doing, if they wanted to go to culinary school, what do you think they need to do first?
Elsie Ramos: I think the major thing is to have a plan. Most people if they’re daring enough, if it’s risky, they’ll go ahead and take the plunge. That’s all well and good, but it’s a different scenario for everybody. Lots of people don’t take the risk because they have families to consider, or a job that doesn’t allow it. I say, if you really want it, you put your mind to it, make a plan for yourself. It’s the same thing I tell my girls at work. Set some goals for yourself, so at the end of the year, you see where you are, you see how far you’ve come, and if this is not where you want to be, move on to something else. Plan ahead. That’s what I do with my cooking, plan ahead. Thank you Elsie! Felicidades, ¡y buena suerte!
Look for Elsie Ramos' book in our Shopping Channel!
http://miapogeo.com/main/content/view/112/610/
www.elsieramos.com
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