'We can change some hearts and minds;' Chef Gregory León of Amilinda featured in national docuseries featuring immigrant chefs
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee-based Chef is getting national attention after being recognized in a new Documentary Series called 'Humble Kitchen,' focusing on immigrants that "lead many of America's most celebrated kitchens."
Chef Gregory León created Amilinda in 2013, setting up his business on Wisconsin Avenue 11 years ago. He specializes in food from the Iberian Peninsula, in a setting reminiscent of Spain and Portugal through the decorations, music, and overall ambiance.
"I want people always be on the toes, constantly thinking about what we're doing," said Chef León about why his menu changes every week. The four-time James Beard Award nominee ensures every item comes out perfectly.
Montse Ricossa:
What has been your favorite part of owning your own restaurant?
Chef Gregory León:
"I certainly like being able to look out to the dining room and see everybody's happy faces and listen to the noise that comes from a full dining room. But if i had to like pick one favorite, it would be being able to work alongside this incredible group of people that are here right now.
Chef León though moved to Venezuela when he was five years old, growing up there with his parents and brothers.
Chef Gregory León as a child with his family in Venezuela
"We had to do a lot of really, really great things, and we got exposed to a lot of different types of food, of fresh food. You know, like we we had to nag our parents things to go to fast food, but they were like absolutely not," he shared. Food seemed to be more than just about sustenance for his family: "my mom cooked for us almost every day. My dad cooked on the weekends, and he has a very big family. So my aunts and uncles would come over. They would all cook together. They listened to horse races. They went dominoes. A lot of drinking, dancing."
Those memories have been brought across the continent, and into his restaurant. "I think it just showed me that food and cooking even bring people together, and it can be a unifier," he shared.
The name 'Amilinda' is inspired by his parents' names - Amilcar and Linda. 'A Mi Linda' also translates to 'beautiful' in Spanish.
Chef León said his food is inspired by his first trip to Europe when he was 27 years old. That's where he met an American chef who became his mentor, later meeting a Portuguese chef in San Francisco. "I just i just fell in love with the culture of food and the relationship with cooking and food and eating." He's taking a piece of Spain, Portugal, and - Hispanic culture- to Milwaukee.
"I never want anybody to want to come in and feel like they don't belong. So you try really hard to make sure everybody feels welcome." — Chef Gregery León
At first, he said he was hesitant to be involved in the 'Humble Kitchen' docuseries because television "is never anything that really interests me" but he gave it a chance, and it's continued to propel him and his impact into the world. "I've had a lot of people reach out to me and they tell me that they're inspired by the story. That it gives them hope. That if somebody who was in my position was able to end up at the restaurant and some nominations, and they feel that so that makes it very. It makes it worth doing the series."
He hopes the series, and his work, reminds you about the impact immigrants have in our communities: "Immigrants have built the American foods a restaurant business, and i really want everybody to remember that. I don't think there'll be much of a food industry in the United States without immigrants."
Montse Ricossa:
How do you see yourself in running a restaurant that serves food from outside of the country playing a role in the political world right now?
Chef Gregory León:
I hope that if people were to come to Amilinda and maybe they don't know any Americans or they're uncomfortable around them or whatever might be the issue that they have-- hopefully, when they come here and they meet me and they meet some of the staff, you know, they realize that we're not that scary. We all bleed red when we’re cut.... maybe we speak a different language or we were born in a different spot, but we're all the same. And hopefully, we can change some hearts and minds."
Amilinda is open Wednesday through Saturday, located at 315 E Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee.