Hi there! I’m Julia Brenon. A food lover, culture explorer, and lifelong learner with a deep curiosity about the world and its people.
My journey into global cuisine began with a love for Latin American culture. I learned Spanish, traveled through Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, and Spain, and fell in love with the way food tells a story of family and history. But my real understanding of cultural diversity deepened right here at home in Rochester, where I worked as a Refugee Case Worker. Meeting families from around the world opened my eyes to the incredible variety of traditions, languages, and recipes that exist within my own community.
About Cooking Across Cultures
Cooking Across Cultures is a Rochester-based community platform that brings people together through shared meals, cultural storytelling, and learning directly from local chefs and restaurant owners.
We partner with diverse, locally owned restaurants to host monthly cultural dinner experiences where guests don’t just eat they learn. Each gathering highlights the traditions behind the food, the stories of the people who make it, and the cultural significance of the cuisine being served.
Rather than focusing on recipes, Cooking Across Cultures centers the voices of the chefs and owners themselves. Through guided dinners, chef-led cooking demos, and conversations around culture and tradition, we create space for connection, curiosity, and community.
Our mission is to encourage Rochester residents to explore the city’s rich food landscape, support small businesses, and experience culture in a meaningful, accessible way.
What We Offer
- Monthly cultural dinner experiences at local restaurants
- Chef-led cooking demonstrations and cultural education
- Community gatherings that connect food, people, and place
Why It Matters
Food is a powerful way to learn about culture, history, and one another. By gathering around the table, we create opportunities to listen, learn, and support the people and stories that make Rochester’s food scene so special.