Lydia Gonzalez

Chef Lydia is the CEO and founder of the Latino Culinary Institute and Association, which supports workforce training, professional development, community engagement, fundraising, and networking.

Through the nonprofit work of LCIA, Lydia created the "Cocina 101 – How to Launch Your Own Restaurant" series, collaborated with Dallas College to provide culinary training to the Latinx community, launched a first-of-its-kind Chispas Awards program to recognize the culinary workforce in North Texas. She most recently launched her Dales Tamales! fundraising effort targeted at fundraising through the sales of tamales.

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With Latinos making up roughly 80% of cooks and chefs in all commercial kitchens, training is essential to their career advancement and helping fill the pipeline of the food service industry.
"Culinary Workforce Development should be at the forefront of each community's core values while fostering and investing in economic development. This talent lies in low-income, underserved neighborhoods all across our cities," said Chef Lydia Gonzalez.

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As a true Latin foodie and on her 4th career, Lydia is passionate about exploring the native ingredients of Latin America to create unique recipes.

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Chef Lydia has regularly demonstrated the strengths of her culinary skills through various opportunities and roles. She was previously the owner of Savorista Kitchen & Catering; cooked for world leaders such as Hon. Hillary Clinton and Former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox; worked alongside Chef Guy Fieri as a food stylist during the 2011 Superbowl LIVE cooking segments, and Chef Aaron Sanchez.

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Chef Lydia is a seven-time participant in the State Fair of Texas' Celebrity Kitchen cooking demos, has served as the Texas Chef for UnitedHealthcare and American Diabetes Associations, and has appeared in state-wide, live TV cooking segments on Univision, ABC, and NBC. Lydia has taught over 10,000 people basic cooking techniques to help motivate cooks of all levels.

In 2024, Chef Lydia was recognized as an NBC5/Telemundo Hispanic Business Salute recipient by UPS; served on the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Celebration Committee for the Dallas Regional Chamber; featured as a Yo Soy Latina on WFAA during Hispanic Heritage Month; received the Power Up Award from Poderistas as a Latina Making a Difference, and was the first Latina-owned business highlighted by the Dallas Wing's Amplify, Educate, Diversify (AMP.E.D.) Initiative during Hispanic Heritage Month.