Welcome to Viva el Sabor, a dynamic culinary collective driven by the passion for authentic Mexican and Guatemalan cuisine, cultural exchange, and economic empowerment. Founded in 2021 by a group of fourteen Spanish-speaking chefs, we embarked on a journey to showcase the rich flavors of Central America to the people of Vermont. With the invaluable support of organizations like the Addison Allies Network and Little Village Enterprises, as well as the dedication of our community partners, we hosted our inaugural event, the Viva el Sabor fiesta, in June 2021.

The overwhelming success of our fiesta underscored the hunger for genuine Central American cuisine in Vermont. In response to the flood of catering requests that followed, we realized the need to formalize our structure and streamline our operations. Thus, we took the initiative to clarify our vision, enhance our business processes, and establish a solid foundation for our collective’s growth. With the hiring of a part-time, bilingual coordinator in August 2021, we began laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.

Today, Viva el Sabor thrives as a tight-knit community of twelve passionate chefs, each pursuing their culinary dreams while contributing to our collective success. Together, we cater to a diverse range of events, engaging in continuous professional development and providing support to fellow chefs in navigating the complexities of permits and licenses. Regular meetings allow us to refine our collective vision, strengthen our entrepreneurial skills, and coordinate impactful initiatives such as our annual fiesta.