We were lucky to catch up with Angelina Torres recently and have shared our conversation below.
Angelina , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
How did you find your purpose?
I’ve learned that purpose isn’t one fixed thing. It shifts, grows, and transforms as we do. For a long time, I thought I had to find a single answer to that question. But life has shown me that purpose is layered. It moves with us, sometimes quietly and sometimes with force, shaping itself around the person we’re becoming.
Growing up in a very religious household, I believed for a time that my purpose was to spread religious ideas. That belief shaped how I saw myself and how I connected with others. But eventually, I came to feel that it wasn’t just about repeating what I had been taught. It was about living my values. Being kind. Being honest. Being present. Actually doing the work to embody what I said I believed in. That shift was one of my first real lessons in how purpose can evolve.
Later, I began reconnecting with food, something I had always loved as a child. After leaving home and stepping away from the religion I was raised in, I started searching for what made me feel whole again. In a conversation with my then-boyfriend, now husband, I talked about the things that truly brought me joy, and cooking kept coming up. That conversation was a turning point. I decided to enroll in culinary school. At the time, I was working full-time in an office, so I signed up for night classes and committed to the process.
To complete my education, I gave up weekends to intern in a kitchen. I had written to a chef I admired, asking for a chance, and that’s how I got my foot in the door. Once I started working in professional kitchens, everything changed. As I moved through different culinary jobs, the responsibilities grew. What started as eight-hour days turned into ten, twelve, and even thirteen-hour shifts. I remember helping open a new restaurant, working from early morning until night. It was intense, exhausting, and physically demanding, but I felt a sense of purpose in pushing myself and doing work I believed in.
Then I found out I was going to be a mom. And once again, everything shifted. Parenting became the new center of my life. Raising three sons with a present and loving father brought me into a new season of reflection. I thought about how I was raised, what I wanted to pass down, and what I needed to change. I became more intentional about my health, my habits, and how I wanted to show up for my children.
During that time, I also took on the role of caring for my mother. Being there for her, through illness and through her final days, gave me a deeper understanding of purpose. It taught me that value is not always in achievement, but also in presence, in patience, and in love. Caring for her reminded me that some of the most sacred work we ever do happens in quiet moments. She has since passed. Rest in peace, Mom.
Over time, purpose led me to create Ebony Vegan. It became a way to share food, culture, and care through plant-forward dishes that are full of flavor and rooted in wellness. For me, it’s about showing people that you can enjoy food deeply, honor your traditions, and still care for your body. I always say we’re not perfect. We’re human. There are going to be moments when our choices don’t align. But if we stay open, stay honest with ourselves, and keep reconnecting, that’s how we keep finding our purpose.
There were times I felt lost, like I had nothing left to give. But every time I returned to myself — through food, through faith, through family — I found another version of purpose waiting for me. Today, I find it in many places: in cooking, in building community, in raising my sons, in remembering and honoring my mother, and in creating spaces where people feel nourished and seen. Purpose isn’t one thing. It’s not a job title or a perfect plan. It is something alive. It is something we grow with. And I am still learning to listen for it, trust it, and let it lead me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Ebony Vegan is a plant-forward culinary brand rooted in culture, wellness, and community. As a chef, mother, and founder, I created Ebony Vegan to share food that is deeply nourishing and full of flavor. My dishes reflect my heritage, the cultures I was raised around, and the food I truly enjoy. I want people to know that you don’t have to sacrifice taste or tradition to care for your health. Through pop-ups, catering, and storytelling, I create meals that feel familiar, joyful, and healing. What excites me most is watching people try something plant-based and realize it still feels like home. Right now, I’m focused on expanding into retail with frozen empanadas and bottled sauces, while continuing to create spaces that feed people emotionally, culturally, and physically. Ebony Vegan isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, honoring where you come from, and finding purpose through food.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey have been resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability. Resilience helped me keep going through long work hours, life transitions, motherhood, grief, and moments of doubt. Self-awareness allowed me to check in with myself regularly—to ask what felt right, what needed to change, and when it was time to grow or pivot. And adaptability has kept me moving forward, especially when plans didn’t unfold the way I expected.
For anyone early in their journey, I’d say this: build your resilience by giving yourself room to fail and get back up. Don’t aim for perfection—aim to stay present and keep learning. Develop your self-awareness by creating quiet space for reflection and trusting your gut. And strengthen your adaptability by staying open. Things will shift. Your purpose might too. The key is learning how to flow with the change without losing who you are.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who values intention, creativity, and care—whether it’s an individual planning a special gathering, or a company hosting a corporate event. I love working with clients who see food as an experience, not just a transaction. The best partnerships happen when people are open to plant-based dishes, even if they aren’t vegan, and are excited to try bold flavors inspired by the cultures I grew up around and love. Whether I’m catering a private dinner, a wedding, or a corporate wellness event, I work best with clients who respect the time, thought, and energy that go into creating food that nourishes both the body and the spirit. If you care about community, quality ingredients, cultural connection, and joyful presentation, we’ll get along just fine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ebonyveganla.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonyvegan_la/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonyvegan/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-torres-22819496/
Image Credits
Udo photography
Angelina Torres
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