Mapuche chef brings indigenous flavors from South America to California

Tuesday, August 1, 2017  

An indigenous chef from South America is expanding his food operation in Los Angeles, California.

Carlos Leiva launched the popular Mapuche food truck on the city's streets two years ago. He's now getting ready to open a coffee and chocolate shop in late August, The Los Angeles Times reports.

“Everything at the shop will be from L.A., including the coffee, the machines, everything,” Leiva told the paper. “That’s the only way to do it, helping my new community.”

Leiva is Mapuche, whose homelands are located in present-day Argentina and Chile. His food truck menu includes indigenous foods like quinoa, chile and merkén, a type of seasoning.

Read More on the Story:
There's Goat Horn chile on everything at the Mapuche Native Argentinian Food truck (The Los Angeles Times 8/1)