Natalia Mendez < EXTENDED × 2024 >
She received the Three Kings Medal from El Museo del Barrio (2017) and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lehman College (2022).
Natalia Méndez is the co-owner and head chef of La Morada , a family-run Oaxacan restaurant in the South Bronx. Her work transcends culinary excellence, positioning food as a central tool for social justice, mutual aid, and cultural preservation. Culinary Heritage and Indigenous Wisdom
She authored the cookbook series The Sisters of the Milpa , which includes The Book of Beans (2024), documenting the cultural significance of traditional crops. Natalia Mendez: Journalist and Multi-Medium Artist natalia mendez
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Méndez transformed her restaurant into a mutual aid kitchen . At the peak of the crisis, the family provided up to 1,000 meals daily to neighbors in need. This transition highlighted her commitment to food sovereignty and land reclamation, as she sought to use community gardens to ensure local access to fresh ingredients. Recognition and Literary Contributions
Méndez is celebrated for her dedication to traditional Oaxacan flavors, particularly her renowned moles. Her cooking is an act of reclamation, utilizing transgenerational information about Indigenous foodways to honor her heritage. She views food not just as sustenance, but as "good food as medicine"—a source for both physical health and communal healing. La Morada and Mutual Aid She received the Three Kings Medal from El
Méndez’s impact has been recognized by prestigious institutions:
Mendez uses a variety of mediums to pull "untold stories into the light." Their work often explores the intersections of food, travel, history, and the outdoors. They have contributed to major local and national platforms, including MPR News and the James Beard Foundation. Community and Culture Culinary Heritage and Indigenous Wisdom She authored the
A significant portion of Mendez's work is dedicated to co-op culture and food access in the Twin Cities. They emphasize the importance of interdependence and traditional values, such as resource sharing and community support, as alternatives to capitalist structures. Comparison of Contributions Natalia Méndez (NYC) Natalia Mendez (Minneapolis) Chef and Activist Journalist and Artist Key Focus Indigenous foodways, mutual aid Equity, queer identity, storytelling Notable Project La Morada Mutual Aid Kitchen Co-op culture advocacy Medium Culinary arts, cookbooks Writing, photography, teaching Natalia Méndez - Center for the Humanities
