Asunción, Agencia IP.- In celebration of Paraguayan Women’s Day, we highlight the story of Nancy Ojeda, an entrepreneur who brought Paraguay’s culinary tradition to the heart of New York with her restaurant, I Love Paraguay. Located in the Sunnyside neighborhood since 2007, her establishment has become a refuge for compatriots longing for the flavors of home and a gateway for the world to discover the country’s rich gastronomy.
«Our gastronomy is part of our identity and cultural heritage. Keeping our traditions alive allows more people to appreciate the richness of our cuisine.»
— Nancy Ojeda
Nostalgia as the driving force behind a dream
Nancy’s inspiration to open her restaurant was born out of nostalgia. «When you leave your country, you begin to value and miss many things, especially food, which is a direct connection to our identity and memories,» she expressed. She aimed to create a space where Paraguayans could feel at home while introducing national cuisine to other cultures.
Nancy and her husband, Carlos Ojeda, have over 30 years of experience in the culinary sector. In the 1990s, they ran a restaurant in Asunción, later managing a fast-food restaurant and several school cafeterias. In 2000, they emigrated to New York, facing the challenges of adapting to a new country. «Although people say it’s a tough city, we quickly realized that the Big Apple welcomes you no matter where you come from,» they stated.
Their longing for the flavors of home led them to open Little Paraguay Deli in West Harrison, New York, between 2004 and 2006. Finally, in 2007, they founded I Love Paraguay Restaurant in Sunnyside, Queens, where they have continued their culinary passion.
For Nancy, representing Paraguayan culture through gastronomy in New York is a tremendous source of pride. «Every dish we serve tells a story, a tradition, and a way of bringing Paraguay closer to those who miss it and those who have yet to discover it,» she remarked.
Public reception
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. «Paraguayans are happy to have a place where they can enjoy the flavors of their childhood, and Latin Americans, in general, are pleasantly surprised when they discover our cuisine.» New Yorkers, always eager to try new flavors, have shown great interest in Paraguayan dishes.
Among the most popular dishes at the restaurant are empanadas, sopa paraguaya, chipa guasu, mbejú, and vori vori. «I chose these dishes because they represent the essence of our cuisine: simple ingredients but unique flavors that evoke tradition and home.»
Unlike other Latin American empanadas, Paraguayan empanadas are known for their perfect frying technique, which gives them a unique texture and an incomparable flavor.
Additionally, Nancy pointed out that «unlike other Latin American empanadas, Paraguayan empanadas are known for their perfect frying technique, which gives them a unique texture and an incomparable flavor.»
Paraguayan woman, an entrepreneur
For Nancy, being a Paraguayan woman entrepreneur abroad means constantly overcoming challenges, learning, and adapting. «It’s a source of pride to demonstrate that Paraguayan women are strong, hardworking, and capable of achieving our goals anywhere in the world.»
As a message to other Paraguayan women, she encouraged them to «believe in themselves and stay determined. Entrepreneurship is not easy, especially abroad, but anything is possible with effort, passion, and perseverance.» She also emphasized the importance of building a supportive community and never losing sight of who we are.
The owner of this successful New York restaurant acknowledges that Paraguayan women have shown themselves to be resilient and entrepreneurial. «They are increasingly playing an active role in business and society. We are women with a great work ethic and a strong connection to our roots, which makes us stand out anywhere in the world,» she concluded.
On this Paraguayan Women’s Day, we celebrate women like Nancy Ojeda, who proudly carry their culture and traditions, proving that dreams have no borders when pursued with passion and determination.
La entrada Paraguayan woman in the world: Nancy Ojeda and her culinary success in New York se publicó primero en .::Agencia IP::..