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Celebrating 4th of July Latina Style! 

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The Fourth of July holiday weekend is here! The U.S. national holiday is known for its fantastic firework shows, barbecues, picnics, and outdoor parties. If there’s anything we Latinas love is a good celebration. Today we’re sharing some fun ideas to give your 4th of July a Latina twist! 

Celebrate 4th of July Latina Style! (Design photo created by freepik)

Get the music pumping 

It’s not a Latina party if there isn’t music! Kick off your 4th of July Latina style celebration with some Latin favorites. Curate your own fabulous playlist or invite music-playing friends to bring their instruments and share some live tunes. With the right music, your celebration is off to a great start. 

Make it an asado 

Next– the food. Food is everything at a Latina party. It’s the center focus, the thing that brings everyone together. It is the foundation of the party, especially for a 4th of July celebration where the air is always smokey and sweet from the holiday’s signature BBQs. Here is the perfect place to give the holiday a little Latina flavor! Instead of just the usual hamburgers and hot dogs, make it a truly Latino asado. Incorporate other meats and foods traditional to your country. You can make carne asada marinated with chimichurri, elote, chorizo, and more!  

Fun flavors for all 

While the barbecue is a staple of the holiday, there are other tasty ways to add a Latin touch to your celebration. While you’re outside enjoying the warm weather, cool down with some traditional Latino cocktails and frozen drinks like mojitos, margaritas, and sangria. Then, break out the snacks and appetizers with chips and salsa, guacamole, or your favorite traditional dip, tapas, tortillas, empanadas, and traditional meats, cheeses, and ensaladas. And of course, no Latina meal is complete without the desserts! Prepare some of your favorite sweet treats to share with friends and family. 

Dance the night away

Get ready for a long night! No Latino party is a short event. And what better way to pass the time than to dance to those fun Latino tunes? You can even combine traditional Latin dances and songs with patriotic classics to create fun remixes in a fusion of cultures and heritages. Did you know there’s even a salsa version of The Star Spangled Banner? Check it out on YouTube and let it inspire you to create your own remix as a representation of the melting pot of cultures that makes the U.S. the diverse and multicultural nation it is.

You might be interested: Honoring and remembering the Latina heroes of the past this Memorial Day

Susana from Latinasinbusiness.us with Chefs Otero Perez, Fernandez Monte and Chef Battle World Latino Cuisine

The World of Latino Cuisine show opened doors to Latin American exhibitors

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Once again, the Meadowlands Expo Center was home to the World of Latino Cuisine trade show, the largest food and beverages exhibitors’ gathering in the country.

Exhibitors' floor at the World of Latino Cuisine Trade Show in Meadowlands Expo Center NJ

Exhibitors’ floor at the World of Latino Cuisine Trade Show in Meadowlands Expo Center NJ

This year, one of the event’s highlights was the presence of the Culinary Federation of the Republic of Cuba delegation, who represented the best culinary traditions of Cuban cuisine.

The delegation included Federation’s President Chef Eddy Fernandez Monte, a renowned expert in Cuban Cuisine and author of “Cocinando a lo Cubano;” Chef Carlos S Otero Perez, Vice President of the Federation and experienced culinary master who has worked in the largest hotels in Cuba as well as Cuban Embassies in Italy, Ethiopia and Mexico; and Chef Luis Ramon Battle Hernandez, “el Chef Battle,” a television celebrity and author of “¿Qué cocinaré hoy?”

Chefs Otero Perez, Fernandez Monte and Chef Battle from the Culinary Federation of Republic of Cuba World Latino Cuisine

Chefs Otero Perez, Fernandez Monte and Chef Battle from the Culinary Federation of Republic of Cuba

“The trade show has been growing steadily since inception and this year, we gathered 150 exhibitors from the US as well as Latin America and Canada,” said World Latino Cuisine CEO Will Colón. “The growth is not a surprise, given the Latino food market trends in which certain traditional Latino products are surpassing original American products –such as salsa over ketchup and tortillas over hot-dogs,” he explained.

The World of Latino Cuisine, a true demonstration of culinary arts

Delicious recipes from the presenting Chefs World of Latino Cuisine

Delicious recipes from the presenting Chefs

An international female celebrity in Latin American cuisine was also present at the World Latino Cuisine. Chef Carolina Arias, President of Chef Carolina Buffet and Catering, a native from the Dominican Republic, is the producer and host of “Taste Fusions with Carolina Gourmet,” a very popular show on Dominican TV. She shared recipes of the Cibao region including Chulitos con Gallinita appetizer and Duck al Perico Ripiao.

As for the local celebrities, Chef to Celebrities Ricardo Cardona, Chef Diego De La Rosa and Chef Leo Cervantes were also sharing their expertise at this traditional event.

Chef Cardona is a self-trained chef with over 20 years of experience in American, French and Latin cuisines. He has been Executive Chef at some of the best restaurant in New York metropolitan area, and has been called to cater for celebrities such as Justice Sotomayor, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, and the New York Knicks.

Chef De la Rosa is the Executive Chef of Paella Party, LLC, a company that specializes in large, medium and small events. He has prepared paella, the traditional Spanish dish, for thousands at a time –which is not an easy task!

Chef Cervantes is the owner of Chilangos, a well-know Mexican restaurant located in Highlands, NJ and the author of Chilangos in the House, a biographical story of this self-made professional.

Expert advice was also present at the World Latino Cuisines trade show

Another highlight of the World Latino Cuisine program included a workshop presented by Aquiles Larrea Jr., CEO, Latino Wealth advisor, author, and contributor to LatinasinBusiness.us. He conducted the session “Your Money and You: The Ultimate Wealth Management Guide for Latino Entrepreneurs and Executives,” a presentation for business owners that guided them through the intricacies of growing and scaling their businesses while setting up a strong financial structure to protect their businesses from possible risks and market variations.

Lou Copperhouse, Executive Director of the Rutgers Food Innovation Center, moderated a panel with Cynthia Ramos, the “Empanada Lady” and Djenaba Johnson-Jones, founder of the Hudson Kitchen, an innovative incubator of food-related enterprises.

The first night of the event ended with vibrant presentations from PeruIncaFolk ballet, Mariachi de Oro de Mexico and semifinalist of 2014 show “America’s Got Talent” performers Baila Conmigo, which added the colorful and musical aspects of a real Latino party!

Congratulations once again to CEO Will Colon who has mastered this event planning success and continues to raise the bar every year!

Do you dare to try this recipe?

Here we share a recipe from “¿Qé cocinaré hoy?” of author and entertainer Chef Battle. While at the Master Culinary Demonstration, he also enchanted the audience with his charm and vocal skills, singing traditional Cuban songs and opera while demonstrating his culinary treats.

Chef Battle World of Latino Cuisine

Chef Battle recipe on his book “¿Qué cocinaré hoy?” at the World Latino Cuisine