I was never able to get representation.

They told me your accent, Loren, I'm sorry, it's not going to happen for you, and it will never happen for you.

You know, without representation, I was still able to have a cooking show,

and I had endorsements, I had my restaurant, so that didn't stop me for doing what I was doing.

Lorena Garcia is everywhere, with the opening of her restaurant So that didn't stop me for doing what I was doing.

Lorena Garcia is everywhere.

With the opening of her restaurant, Chica, she became the first Latina executive chef on the Las Vegas strip.

She has airport spots in Dallas, Miami at Atlanta, multiple cookbooks, and a cookware line.

Lorena is often called a celebrity chef, but she insists that her success requires never straying too far from the kitchen. I'm Alicia Menendez, and this is

Latina to Latina. Lorina, I love that I walked into this Miami studio and I found you closing a deal on the couch on your cell phone.

Do you ever stop?

No.

That's funny, but true.

It's one of those things that, no, you never stop.

You're kind of connected 24 hours and you've got to be on top of it. Even when you have a team. Even when you have a team, yes. Okay. When was the last time you let someone cook for you? Oh. Well, you know, it's funny that question because it's not that I let somebody cook for me. let me put it to you this way. I mean, usually the dynamics in my house.

I have my family and friends. We're coming over. This has happened plenty of time in which, you know, we're planning where to go and eat. They see me with poppy eyes. Loretna, we're feeling that, you know, we really want to eat this. You know, many, plenty of time, they show up with the groceries,

and I end up in the kitchen.

They're just lucky that I like it. you know, many, plenty of time they show up with the groceries and I end up in the kitchen.

They're just lucky that I like it as much as I do. So I'm like, okay, guys, probably would eat better

anyway. I've always wanted a doctor in my family so I could just have someone to call and say like

my kid has a rash, but a chef in the family,

my husband jokes that everything I cook has lemon, salt, and avocado, and that that's my way

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