In this flavorful episode of Unmasking Humanity, host Joshua T. Berglan sits down with the passionate and inspiring Chef Maricel Gentile, a dedicated ambassador for Filipino and Asian cuisine.
Dive into Chef Maricel’s incredible culinary journey, starting in her Lola’s (grandmother’s) kitchen in Manila where she learned that food is intrinsically linked to heritage, family, and culture.1 Hear the story of her transition from the bustling NYC restaurant scene and a successful corporate career to courageously founding her own celebrated culinary experience destination, Maricel’s Kitchen, in New Jersey at the age of 52.2
Chef Maricel shares her philosophy on balancing tradition with Innovation, emphasizing the importance of authentic flavors while making diverse Asian cuisines approachable for everyone.3 Learn about her experiences on major platforms like Food Network, PBS, and Hulu, her role as a Chef Ambassador for K-Seafood, and the heart behind her cookbook, “Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook.”
This conversation explores the power of food as a universal language, a tool for building community, and a profound way to connect across cultures and generations – perfectly aligning with the spirit of Unmasking Humanity. If you’re interested in culinary arts, cultural stories, entrepreneurship, or the deep connections forged over shared meals, this episode is a must-listen.
Learn more about Chef Maricel Gentile:
Host: Joshua T. Berglan
Joshua T. Berglan is a visionary multimedia creator and social empowerment leader, renowned globally as "The World's Mayor." As an award-winning producer, internationally bestselling author, and pioneering show host, Joshua is spearheading a transformative movement at the intersection of media literacy, accessible education, and community empowerment.
His ground-breaking works include the game-changing book "Media Company in a Box: Independent Media in the 4th Industrial Revolution," providing a roadmap for ethical media entrepreneurship leveraging emerging technologies like AI and the metaverse. Joshua's raw, redemptive memoir "The Devil Inside Me" chronicles his journey overcoming addiction and trauma.
The World's Mayor Experience, Joshua's innovative media platform, features empowering content tailored for under-served groups like at-risk youth, mental health communities, formerly incarcerated individuals, abuse survivors, human trafficking victims, and disabled people. As a proud advocate from these marginalized backgrounds himself, Joshua is dedicated to amplifying unheard voices through media skills training and accessible business mentorship.
While his inspirational books are available at bookstores worldwide, Joshua has made "Media Company in a Box" freely accessible at public libraries globally, exemplifying his commitment to democratizing vital knowledge. As a SCORE mentor, he provides pro-bono coaching to entrepreneurs and nonprofits.
Through immersive virtual experiences, online academies, published works, advocacy initiatives, and an upcoming worldwide touring show, Joshua Berglan is sparking a people-powered renaissance - equipping a global community of ethical storytellers and digitally literate changemakers to reshape societal narratives for the better.
