Bregamos Community Theater | Latino | Latincolors Magazine
Recent editions of Latincolors Magazine. The 27th edition launched in late December. Lisa Reisman photos.
Ten years ago, Luis Cubillán was a logistics manager in Venezuela who loved to cook. His speciality – the arepa.
Newly arrived in Connecticut with his wife and daughter, Cubillán said Rene Soto, who is from Guatemala, suggested he offer his arepas at a tasting event, setting him on the path to becoming a chef and opening a restaurant.
Cubillán and his story are featured in the latest edition of Latincolors Magazine. The free bilingual, bimonthly magazine marked its 27th edition with a lively celebration at Bregamos Community Theater in late December.
Latincolors Magazine Founder Rene Soto and Editor-in-chief Edith Targonski at the 27th edition launch party at Bregamos Community Theater.
Soto founded the magazine in 2015 to spotlight “the stories of people, organizations, and businesses that are making a positive impact in the Latino community,” according to Latincolors Magazine’s website. (Click here to subscribe to Latincolors Magazine and find retail locations to purchase a copy.)
A celebration of the magazine’s 27th edition might seem unusual. It’s not, according to Editor-in-chief Edith Targonski. Latincolors holds a party for each new edition. The party is held at a different venue each time to recognize featured subjects, contributors, and sponsors, she said.
Jenniffer and Luis Cubillán and their daughter.
For Cubillán, the party, like the tasting event, is an example of “Rene supporting Latino entrepreneurs, making it clear to me that the unity of our community is where we make a difference,” he said, as he and his wife Jenniffer mingled with around 50 attendees as Latin music pulsed through the mellow-lit space amid the heady aroma of Venezuelan street food.
Just three years after coming to Connecticut, Cubillán opened Mosaico Cuisine on Branford’s Main Street. Named for the combination of flavors, from Spanish to Italian to French and American, that characterize Venezuelan cuisine, the pocket-sized eatery became a staple in town.
“My passion for cooking comes from the need to express myself,” Cubillán said. “Some people paint, others play an instrument, others dance, and write, but I cook.”
For Targonski, Cubillán’s story is part of the vibrant tapestry that the magazine seeks to highlight.
Recent issues have included pieces on the Mexican-born textile artist Alberto Lopez-Gomez whose work integrates Mayan designs; Peruvian-born choreographer Enrique Alarcon with dances that evoke the rich culture of his native Peru; and Chris Randall, founder of I Love New Haven, a website that celebrates all things New Haven through photography.
Photographer Chris Randall.
Randall’s inclusion reflects the decision, after the magazine’s first four editions were printed only in Spanish, to shift to bilingual content in order to widen its embrace to a more general audience.
“I love that it’s bilingual,” said Randall, as he enjoyed a plate of Mosaico tequeños and arroz chaufa.
In the magazine’s latest edition, Randall shares the origin story behind I Love New Haven and how his work has deepened his connection to the city.
“It’s exciting to know that my story reaches that many more people,” he said.
Targonski said the aim of the magazine is to “provide tools to help people in their daily lives, and also show people who have done something inspiring, someone you may not have heard of.”
In addition to the feature on Cubillán, the 27th edition includes a “Know Your Rights” column on rent relief and eviction; a piece on a young community organizer with Mexican immigrant parents working to empower parents and students to become agents of change; and a story by a woman of indigenous Zapotec descent from southern Mexico whose life was dramatically changed by the Havenly Fellowship, a six-month training program that combines work experience with educational activities.
Top photo: Yuri Hernandez and her children. Bottom photo: Hernandez's ad in the latest edition.
Yuri Hernandez, owner of Yuriana’s Hair in Westport, a sponsor of the event, attended the event with her son and daughter. She also did the makeup for the Cubillan family for the cover story.
“I’ve always admired Rene and Edith,” Hernandez said. “They do a beautiful job bringing us together and also helping all of us help each other.”
The Cubilláns have seen that impact first-hand.
Last August, the Cubilláns got word from their landlord that they would have to leave the building that housed their Branford restaurant. With the support of the community, they landed on their feet, starting a frozen food business and catering service out of a commercial kitchen in North Haven, as well as a take-out place, Mosaico Express, in Milford. They have plans to open at another location in Branford this spring.
“From the time that he invited me to do the food tasting, Rene was the first person to say you can do it,” Cubillans said, shaking his head and putting his hand on his chest. “You can cook your food and people will want to come and enjoy it. And it has happened.”