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Valentina Ortiz Monasterio has proven that gastronomy is a powerful force for identity and social transformation, achieving her goals with flavor, flair, and fierce determination. A central figure in contemporary Mexican gastronomy, Valentina stands out for her ability to blend tradition with modernity, showcasing Mexico's rich culinary heritage both at home and on the global stage.
© Valentina Ortiz Monasterio"Cooking is a cultural act, a way to tell beautiful stories about who we are, where we come from, and what we cherish."
Her journey is anything but conventional. Though she began her culinary training in France, her family's expectations led her to study law. But her love for food proved stronger than legal briefs. For 17 years, she worked in political communication consulting until the year 2000, when she took a bold leap and enrolled at the prestigious Parisian culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu. The rest is history.
By 2023, Valentina launched Animal Gourmet, a digital platform celebrating food culture. Two years later, she started her own wine project in Baja California, Vinos Balero, showing that multitasking is a language she speaks fluently.
© Vinos BaleroHer work has spanned government and private sectors alike, advising on high-impact food promotion initiatives. In 2016, she designed the Mexican government's National Gastronomy Promotion Policy, a landmark moment for institutional culinary advocacy. Today, she leads Paladar, a company that crafts cultural and gastronomic experiences; chairs the Academy of 50 Best Restaurants Mexico and Central America; and is studying for a postgraduate degree at the University of California.
Valentina's influence is far-reaching. Her leadership within Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants has been instrumental in spotlighting the region's culinary brilliance. She's also the mastermind behind Nación de Vinos, a powerful platform that has brought together over 80 Mexican wineries, redefining and amplifying the country's wine identity.
"Food brings us closer. It's a cultural act. And the moment we as Mexicans began to believe in our own cuisine, everything changed. Not because we started cooking better, but because the world started watching."
© Valentina Ortiz MonasterioValentina Ortiz Monasterio isn't just a chef or a consultant; she's a cultural strategist with a cutting board, redefining what it means to champion a nation's heritage, one plate (and one bottle of wine) at a time.
With her bold vision and unshakable drive, she continues to prove that when food tells a story, the world listens. Sometimes, it even asks for seconds.
