The Pan American Food Festival is brought to you by a talented team of dedicated professionals, many of whom volunteer their time to bring you a fun-filled event each year.
We thank all or our valued Team Members for their tremendous contribution.
[accordian]
[toggle title=”Daniel Garcia-Herreros | Director ” open=”no”]
Daniel is founder and Director of the Pan American Food Festival. He was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he had a successful career as a marketer of consumer products. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Universidad del Norte, with a specialization in marketing. Since 2008, he has lived in Toronto and recently completed a diploma in Meeting & Event Management from George Brown College. An avid supporter of many Latin American community organizations in Toronto, Daniel is co-founder of ArtsXplosion, a non-profit organization that produces cultural events to bring diverse people together. ArtsXplosion’s first major project is the Pan American Food Festival, which made its debut at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, from September 20 to 22, 2013.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Francisco Alvarez | Chair ” open=”no”]
Born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Francisco has worked in numerous cultural organizations and government, including the Ontario Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and Alliance Broadcasting. In his 14 years at the Royal Ontario Museum, he was Director of Communications and Director of the Institute for Contemporary Culture. Currently, Francisco is a Principal at Mr. Pink Art Consultants. As a volunteer, Francisco has served as Chair of the Pan American Food Festival, Co-Chair of Pride Toronto, and Co-Chair of Dancers for Life, among others. In 2012, he was recognized as one of the Ten Most Influential Hispanics in Canada and was recipient of the 2104 Inspire Award for Person of the Year.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Mary Luz Mejia | Culinary Curator ” open=”no”]
Colombian-born, Canadian raised Mary Luz Mejia is a NATJA nominated freelance food/travel journalist, Gemini-nominated food TV producer and food communications professional. She is a regular contributor to Ricardo Magazine’s food pages, the food and drink contributing editor for the NATJA award winning Ensemble Vacations magazine and was the brunch columnist for the Toronto Star’s weekly column “The Morning After” for the last year of its existence. Her work has appeared in the Toronto Star, Organic Gardening in the US, The Globe and Mail, Canadian Living online and Toronto Life. She curates food festivals throughout Toronto including Luminato’s “Taste of the Beach,” The Pan American Food Festival and numerous Harbourfront Centre festivals where this year, she was Guest Artistic Associate of five festivals there. Saveur EIC James Oseland calls her “One of Toronto’s most passionate food journalists” and her personal goal is to master iconic Latin American dishes, one plate at a time. And por supuesto, se habla Español![/toggle]
[toggle title=”Cony Calle | Development Director” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Carmen Helena Bayona | Vendors Coordinator” open=”no”]
Born in Colombia, land of beautiful mountains and priers; She came to in Canada in 2.000. Carmen Helena consider herself as a hard-working, analytic, active, sociable, ambitious, and creative person but at the same time she likes to enjoy the life with small things that she can share with family and friends. Sometimes she can be very talkative or really reserved, it depends how comfortable she feels. She also always like to have a new goal to achieve and never stop learning new things about work.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Amanda Fruci | Media Director” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Yvette Astorga | Wine & Spirits Coordinator” open=”no”]
Mezcal Brand Ambassador. Yvette Astorga is a Sales and Marketing professional in the wine industry. She’s Director of Promezcal Canada, an initiative to raise awareness about an authentic Mexican distilled spirit made from the agave plants: Mezcal.
She’s a Consultant and Trainer for retail trade and corporate clients. Wine & Spirits Education Trust – WSET – Certified – Twitter @yvetteastorga[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Duilia Antoni | Creative Director” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Carlos Bolivar | Social Media Coordinator” open=”no”]
Carlos Bolivar is a Graphic Designer and Web and Social Media Specialist with some experience in SEO and SEM. He keeps his creativity in the simple way, loving life and admiring the talent of other artists. Carlos is also a Photographer and videographer who loves to integrate all concepts to create always new and compelling ideas. Carlos has been in our Festival since the beginning and is in charge of all our web presence and Social Media, as well the photography and video related. To check more of his work visit. http://carlosbolivar.com/ and http://32code.com/[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Hugo Ares | Arts + Culture Coordinator” open=”no”]
Hugo Ares is an independent visual art curator, programmer and art administrator based in Toronto, Ontario. He completed his degree in Multimedia Arts at the National Institute of Art, University of Buenos Aires City and a post undergraduate degree in Visual and Critical Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has been working as a curator and programmer for cultural associations that include Espacio Ecléctico, Southern Currents Film and Video Collective, aluCine – Toronto Latin Media Arts Festival, Digital Event by e-fagia-Visual & Media Art Organization, ArtsXplosion Cultural Society; and Colectivo Toronto.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Ana Maria Carmona | Logistic Coordinator” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Ricardo Delgado | Production ” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Lysbeth Mendez | Volunteer Coordinator” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Maria Fernanda Martinez | Coordinator Discovering Panamerican Countries ” open=”no”]
Short Description Bio[/toggle]
[/accordian]