Meet Glenda Galvan-garcia

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Glenda Galvan-garcia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Glenda below.

Glenda, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Looking back, it seems I have been the “only one in the room” my entire life. Growing up Latine in a primarily Caucasian neighborhood and raised by a single mom (rare in the 1970’s), our family always stood out. From an early age, I adapted and leaned into this space and got comfortable being uncomfortable. That attitude was something I applied as I’ve moved through my career where I have often been working in kitchens as a chef with mostly male counterparts. Being the only woman in the room wasn’t something I cherished; I wish there were more women, and I have always tried to encourage more equity. So, being the only one who looks like me wasn’t just about my ethnicity but also my gender.

Embracing this was my way of celebrating my uniqueness and recognizing that my perspective adds value. As the daughter of immigrants, I grew up understanding the unspoken rule: seize every opportunity, dream big, and work relentlessly to achieve those dreams. For me, being the “only one” signifies blazing a trail, breaking barriers, and staying on the path toward meaningful change.

Essentially, I think the first step to success in these spaces is having a growth mindset and seeing every challenge as an opportunity. Being in those spaces and being effective is no different from how one would act in a familiar setting. Being collaborative, a good listener, and standing up for your beliefs is how we move forward and create something beautiful.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’ve been a chef consultant and food stylist for over 25 years and am happily enjoying the new role of cookbook author. After first ideating the concept of my cookbook in 2001 as a college student, it’s incredibly gratifying to share this book. “The Whole Enchilada Cookbook: Mexican Recipes Full of History and Fun” (Planeta, 2024) is a testament to working toward a dream I deeply believed in. It stands out as both a Chicano history book and a cookbook, merging my two passions. As a Chicano/Latino studies major in college and a working chef, this project brings together the worlds I deeply care about. I thought the book’s uniqueness would be an immediate selling point, but I was mistaken because the publishing world couldn’t get behind it. I was often told it was “too much,” but my inner voice told me it was exactly what was needed.

Thankfully, after 20 years of querying, I found an agent. It took another two years to sell the book to a publisher. This journey was certainly a lesson in trusting the universe and its timing.

Since it’s publication in October 2024, I’ve been busy promoting it and the recipes, which are all family-friendly. I’m currently teaching elementary students how to cook and participating in several book signings and other industry events.

While I continue to make myself available for consultant work and look forward to opportunities where I can best apply my talents as a chef, I am preparing myself for the next project. I didn’t want to be left with a sense of “now what?” once my book was actually on bookstore shelves. I’ve also written a picture book manuscript about my childhood and working with my agent in moving that toward publication.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Manifesting success

Vision work has played a pivotal role in my journey. Visualization has been the cornerstone of shaping my path and aligning with my destiny. Visualizing my goals in vivid detail, as if they are complete, and feeling gratitude is how I manifest them. I feel it is essential to recognize that the universe works in our favor to make our dreams a reality.

I’ll be the first to admit that not every project or venture I’ve pursued has succeeded. Along the way, I’ve had to pause, reassess whether it was truly meant for me, and let go of what no longer served my purpose. I have looked within and trusted my gut instincts to know if it was meant for me. If an opportunity presents itself, I ask myself, “If I don’t do this, will 80-year-old me be filled with regret?” I knew with absolute certainty, deep in every fiber of my being, that I was meant to write this cookbook. It was a vision that stayed with me, something I thought about and wrote about consistently over the years. Rejection is certainly an expected part of the publishing process. Working on a passion project for so long was frustrating, but it became a story in itself. In the end, I became the hero of my own story by seeing it through to become the book I envisioned.

Tenacity and resilence

“Tenacious G” is one of my nicknames, and it’s a title I wear with pride. Tenacity is an indispensable trait for creators and has been a steadfast companion on my journey toward achieving my goals. Of course, there were moments when rejection left me feeling defeated. But each time, I returned to what I call the “80-year-old me” question. I know it sounds cliché, but imagining my future self living without the regret of not trying was a powerful motivator that kept me pushing forward.

Keeping a sense of wonder

A sense of wonder is essential for nurturing creativity. Whether you’re writing or tackling a problem, wonder sparks curiosity and unlocks new ways of thinking. In today’s world, we’re quick to Google for answers, but in doing so, we often miss the chance to pause, ponder, and let our creative minds search for solutions. Asking the simple question, “What if?” can open the door to incredible breakthroughs, fresh concepts, and compelling characters—no matter the project you’re working on. Having that sense of wonder has allowed me to to embrace uncertainty, inspired bold ideas and unique perspectives on several projects. And I believe that by cultivating wonder, it helps me tap deeper into the ability to dream and innovate without boundaries.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

My goal with the book has always been to educate and empower youth, so amplifying the Whole Enchilada concept into schools and after-school programs would be helpful. I would love to connect with podcasters, festivals and community events, libraries and local bookstores. I am available to speak on panels and author visits at schools. Of course, positive reviews are invaluable to authors! They not only celebrate our work but also help expand our audience and increase our reach.

Mexican food companies would also be fantastic partners in this outreach because educating children about available ingredients and how to best use them helps foster a new generation of home cooks. While there is a greater interest in cooking, kids are not learning as many skills intergenerationally as they once did. It’s not as commonplace as it once was for parents and grandparents to pass down recipes and home cooking skills. The beauty of this book is that it brings families together to cook and learn together. The bilingual format and historical insight offers something for everyone.

One goal I have envisioned is seeing “The Whole Enchilada Cookbook: Mexican Recipe Full of History and Fun” featured in Target for Hispanic Heritage Month. For many years, I have seen their annual display and thought to myself, “One day!” I’m working toward making that goal a reality.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jon Hwang
Dreambox
Erika Espinoza
js2PR

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