Today, we’d like to introduce you to Irena Stein.
Hi Irena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Irena Stein, and I have lived in Baltimore since 1998.
I am Venezuelan and founded Alma Cocina Latina in 2015. My life prior to Alma was long and very non-linear. I love life so much that I build my daily life around many interests, combining my love for human beings, nature, food, photography, and more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have found that making your life as you want takes devotion and discipline, and it is only natural to encounter obstacles along the way.
Bumpy roads are the best thing to happen to you because they lead you to develop your capacity and tenacity. The struggles have included starting with almost no funds, keeping the business growing against all odds, and being a woman in the food industry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I am putting myself in this category because I lead my life creatively, defining each activity with a purpose, a vision, and a holistic approach. I am known as the founder and creative director of Alma Cocina Latina. What lies behind that “title” is my acute passion for displaying beauty in our space and sharing our Venezuelan culture with dialogue, hospitality, flavors, color, plants, music, decor, and photography.
I also record what we do so Alma gets seen beyond its walls. For the last eight years, each year I have made a photographic yearbook of all our activity: the dishes, the people, the drinks and our environment. We hold a memory of our past and present. Photos and stories are shared with the press, social media, podcasts, and magazines, both nationally and abroad.
I am most proud to represent the Venezuelan culture, along with all our team, under a bright light! What sets us apart from others in the city is for our guests to tell.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Mmm having grown up in several countries from an early age and going to school in French, English, and Spanish languages, I had a difficult time finding my own identity till my late teens. When you grow up, you want to be cool, but cool can mean very different things in different cultures. Being a girl made it even harder. Different rules and behaviors are applied everywhere.
Overcoming this confusion was a big deal to me.
At the age of 19, I was introduced to Buddhism. This helped a lot since it is a universal and all-inclusive philosophy whose only rule is to respect your life and that of others. I realized I had grown to be a world citizen and had to live as such. This, I am sure, is what gave me a huge sense of openness and empathy through life while adjusting to all the new places that ended up being my home.
Now, I thrive to make those around me feel comfortable and welcome to the best of my ability.
Contact Info:
- Website: almacocinalatina.com, irenasteinphotography.com
- Instagram: business: @almacocinalatina | personal: @ai_rei_rei
- Facebook: Alma Cocina Latina for business, Irena Stein for personal
- Linkedin: Irena Stein
