A story of a trailblazer living at the intersection of multiple identities—a queer, first-generation Cuban-American woman fighting for her place in the male-dominated culinary world, while exploring how culture, career, and identity collide and ultimately strengthen each other.
As co-director (with Odette Santos), writer, and cinematographer, I crafted an intimate portrait as layered as Chef Tatiana Rosana's cooking. The film explores her multiple "comings out"—as a chef in a family of professionals, and as a lesbian in a traditional culture—revealing how authenticity became her greatest strength.The story unfolds through two interwoven elements:
Past and Present in Dialogue: Modern cinematic vérité blends with nostalgic home videos, creating a visual conversation between the child who was a picky eater in a food-loving Cuban family and the woman who became a Chopped champion
Contrasting Worlds: The harsh realities of kitchen sexism juxtaposed with the warmth of chosen and biological family, showing how love and support transformed obstacles into strength
