Latina Entrepreneur in Minnesota

Amalia Moreno-Damgaard, an award-winning author and entrepreneur based in the Twin Cities, is a renowned culinary advocate nationwide with a prior career in banking, seamlessly blending business acumen with gastronomy. A Le Cordon Bleu and Culinary Institute of America CEIP alumna, she goes beyond crafting dishes, reshaping narratives, and fostering a deeper appreciation for Latin cultural nuances. Drawing from pre-Columbian traditions and classic French techniques, her work blends heritage and innovation, solidifying her culinary authority.

Born and raised in Guatemala City, Amalia’s journey was shaped by her grandmother Melida, a resilient entrepreneur and artisan cook she considers her North Star. In her grandmother’s specialty store in Quezaltepeque, she learned hard work, community service, and a deep appreciation for food and entrepreneurship, influenced by time spent on her great-grandfather’s dairy farm and coffee plantation. These values remained with her as she moved to the United States.

Beyond the kitchen, Amalia is a regular contributor to Mid-Morning (CBS Minnesota), Twin Cities Live and Minnesota Live (ABC), KARE 11 (NBC), Good Day Fox9, and MPR News All Things Considered. She was recently featured in the National Geographic series World Eats Bread. She has also served as a judge for Super Bowl LII’s Super Snack Challenge and in two seasons of PBS North’s The Great Minnesota Recipe and has participated in Hispanic Top Chef and PBS Twin Cities’ Relish.

Her thought leadership has been prominently featured in The Minnesota Star Tribune, Forbes EQ BrandVoice, The New York Times, Excelencias Gourmet, Volaris, Que Rica Vida, Midwest Living, Revue Magazine, and Telemundo-MN. As a spokesperson, she has represented Crystal Farms’ Hispanic cheese line, Cocina Sabrosa Trade Expo, and consulted for General Mills, Sabrosura Foods, Chocolate San Jose, and the Minnesota Beef Council.

Amalia’s award-winning authorship and Signature Hispanic Heritage Month Speaking Events have made her a trusted Latin cuisine and culture advocate for Fortune 100-500 companies, ERGs, universities, and professional organizations. Her clients include Mayo Clinic, Best Buy, 3M, Medtronic, Land O’Lakes, RBC Wealth Management, Sabrosura Foods, General Mills, Hormel Foods, Thomson Reuters, Comcast Universal NBC, and many more brands countrywide.

Her travels across all seven continents enrich her voice, allowing her to connect globally and promote cultural unity through food. A graduate of the National Speakers Association Speaker’s Academy, she holds a Master’s in International Business from St. Louis University. She is an alumna of the Cornell University-Bank of America Women’s Entrepreneurship Program.

Amalia is the first Latina president (2023) of the National Association of Women Business Owners–Minnesota (NAWBO-MN) and was honored by NAWBO National in Washington, D.C., as Woman Business Owner of the Year. She co-founded Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota (WeMN.org), has served on 12 nonprofit boards, and supported 25 charitable causes. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, recognizing her leadership, advocacy, authorship, and impact on business, culture, and community.

Mission

To foster understanding and appreciation of Latin American cultural nuances by using traditional cuisine as a platform for storytelling, education, and connection. Through engaging experiences, consulting, and speaking, we help businesses authentically embrace Latin culture and create meaningful impact.

Value Proposition

Corporations often struggle with authentic cultural engagement, attracting top Latino talent, fostering employee inclusion and retention, and connecting with diverse markets. We offer expert consulting, keynote speaking, and experiential culinary programs that transform brand initiatives and strategies into impactful experiences. Using traditional cuisine as a platform, we help businesses navigate cultural nuances, strengthen workplace belonging, and build meaningful connections with Latin American audiences.