Press release:
ASHEVILLE (October 25, 2016) – The Asheville City Council and Mayor Esther Manheimer recognized the contributions Hispanic people have made to Asheville’s restaurant industry and proclaimed October 28 Hispanic Restaurateur Day in Asheville at the City Council meeting Tuesday. Karla Castillo, a Mexican immigrant and aspiring chef, was there to accept the proclamation on behalf of Asheville’s Hispanic restaurant owners, chefs and workers.
The proclamation acknowledged that Hispanic people comprise a large portion of the restaurant industry’s labor force and have made significant contributions to Asheville’s culinary scene as chefs, entrepreneurs and employees.
Castillo says the best way for Asheville residents to acknowledge the work Hispanic people are doing in restaurants is just to say thank you.
“I work in a kitchen and it’s a lot of work and a lot of hours,” says Castillo. “A lot of times we don’t get appreciated for what we do, so I feel like every time you go to a restaurant it’s important to say thank you. That really means a lot to know that our time and hours are really worth it,” Castillo added.
Castillo is a graduate of GO Kitchen Ready, a culinary training program that prepares students for jobs in the food service industry. Castillo completed the program in August before traveling to Mexico for several weeks to learn more about the cuisine. She is currently studying under local chefs and working on a business plan. Castillo plans on eventually opening her own restaurant.
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