Cooking Up History Presents “From the Bronx to Caribbean: The Power of Baking with Paola Velez”

Afro-Dominican chef, author and community leader Paola Velez will offer a live cooking demonstration full of creative flavor twists. Born in the Bronx, and now based in Washington, DC, Velez uses baking to explore family, diaspora, community, love, sacrifice and change, all guided by her motto to “bake the world a better place”. Blending Dominican traditions, Bronx influences and global influences in recipes that honor roots and history while creating unexpected and personal flavors. Museum Curator Steve Velasquez will join Velez on stage as she prepares a dessert. Velez is the author of Bodega Bakes, the founder of global baking movement Bakers Against Racism, and the chef-owner of  the Washington, D.C. bar, Providencia. Velez will host a book signing immediately following the demonstration, and her book will be available for purchase.