Recent Trips, Food & The Lunchbox Moment

Victors recent travels through parts of Mexico, Portugal and Morocco call back memories of food, culture and the dreaded lunchbox moment.

A young Victor, standing with his older sister María

My recent travels to Morocco, Oaxaca, Mexico, and Portugal have brought back a vivid memory from the past that I would like to share. This memory goes a long way to partly explain why Aguardente and our mission are so important.

As a child of immigrant parents from Portugal, I have endured a ‘lunchbox moment’ at school when I would open my lunchbox in the cafeteria and other places, kids would judge the homemade meals my mom had made. I receive funny looks — maybe even an outright gag. They said your food was “weird” or “gross,” that it looked “like puke” or smelled “rotten.” And if lunch was a meal eaten with your hands, like a sardine sandwich or liver sandwich, I would be stared at as an object of exotic fascination.

It didn’t matter that it was one of my favorite dishes or that it carried my mom’s love, worked into the dough, or stirred into the soup late the previous night. My lunch was just too different. I was just too different.

Victor’s first childhood home in Cavadoude, Portugal

“I now see food as a journey, representing an opportunity for citizens of the world to celebrate their culture and communities.”

I now realize the lunchbox moment is a real experience, and it’s common enough that immigrants from all parts of the world can relate to each other through it.

I did not grow up with a strong connection to my Portuguese cultural food scene or a strong connection to being born in a different part of the world that had so much to share. I now see food as a journey, representing an opportunity for citizens of the world to celebrate their culture and communities. It takes time, new experiences, and the right combination of family and friends for that connection to flourish. My journey has brought me to a heart moment, Aguardente.

Welcome to Aguardente, where we share food, art, and spirits, celebrating our unique cultures and stories.

From Aguardente,