Graduates participated in the 1st edition of the Cocoa and Agave Cocui Festival
From September 2 to 4, the 1st edition of the Cocoa and Agave Cocui Festival took place at the Ciudad las Trinitarias Shopping Center in Barquisimeto, where 11 graduates from Gastronomic Entrepreneurs participated by offering products made from cocoa and cocui. They managed to use those days at the festival, which was organized by the chocolate entrepreneur Yenitza López and her team, to share with other exhibitors experienced in the world of cocoa. Among the graduates were: Eugenia Aguirre (@eugeniapasteleria), Yacira Carrasco (@delidom), Viviana Vargas (@vnvbaked), Arbelis Urrutia (@3dulcitos), Yennifer Rodríguez (@missaboresdeli), Heritza Sanchéz (@divinasmonadas), Maira González (@cakesmairagonzalez), Maryeisy Sierra (@yeisyphscakes), Rebeca González (@lagalleteria1), Dayana Graterol (@dulce_sorpresa) and María Barreto (@deseosalhorno).
Delivery of certificates for the logistics of the Disability Congress
On September 15, the organizing committee of the Disability Congress delivered certificates to the young people from the Opening the Way to Inclusion project, in charge of the logistics of the 1st National Disability Congress in Mérida. The recognition was delivered by the director of the Fundación Loto Azul, Iderni Villalba, and the ceremony was held at its headquarters in Mérida. The young people showed great capacity for customer service. In addition, they know and comply with rules of courtesy, follow instructions and have work habits, and therefore received an economic contribution extolling the quality of their performance.
Presentation of dishes in Entrepreneurship and Nutrition Carúpano
On September 16, the presentation of dishes from 19 participants of the V cohort of the Entrepreneurship and Nutrition program was held at the Eurocaribe Hotel in Carupano. The exhibition was called Flavors of My Land and consisted of a four-course menu that brought together what identifies them as Parian women. The dishes highlighted the flavors of local products and their history, and included names like “Carúpano aroma y Sazón” for appetizers, “Parian Love” for the appetizer, “Return to my Land” as the main course and, for dessert, “Land to discover”. Among the jurors were: Xiomara Monasterios, project coordinator of Fundación San José; Paulina Termini, representative of the Eurocaribe Internacional Hotel; Jesús Villarroel, director of Cáritas Carúpano, and Lineth Rosario, coordinator of TyP.
Presentation of dishes in Entrepreneurship and Nutrition El Tocuyo
On September 16, within the framework of the V cohort of the Entrepreneurship and Nutrition program in El Tocuyo, Lara state, 14 participants showed their knowledge and culinary skills learned during their training process. The elaboration of 14 three-course menus was carried out at the Colegio Nuestra Señora de la Concordia. The activity was possible thanks to the support of Gourmet Food and Catering C.A., under the direction of its representative, chef Bettina. Among those present were the local coordinator, José Gregorio León; the facilitator chef in different classes of the program, Josué Sánchez; the gastronomic entrepreneur, César López, and the representative of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sister Rafaela Pérez.
Beginning of Gastronomic Entrepreneurs360 in Guarenas
On September 19, the Gastronomic Entrepreneurs360 program began in Guarenas, in partnership with the Diocese of Guarenas, Cavenit, Monteávila University, Plaza’s Foundation, Cáritas Guarenas, chef Victor Moreno, ECC KKO Real, Bufalinda, Torondoy, Ananké, Tequeños Las Tías and the El Pan Nuestro Gastronomic Center. The meeting took place at the Jesús María Marrero School, where the 33 women selected from the 125 candidates received a welcome and initial class from Alejandro Marius. Monsignor Tulio Ramírez also addressed a few words of congratulations. The coordinators Gabbriella Gonzalez, Yubelín Estanga and Eneida Useche were present at the event; the episcopal vicar José Antonio Barrera, the directors José Machado and Desireé Aldana de Machado of Cáritas Guarenas, the chefs Mireya Rojas, Victor Caraballo and Damián Boada, the director Marlene Berrios of ECC KKO Real, and the director Graciela Barreto of Colegio Jesús María Marrero. It was a morning of learning, meeting and lots of excitement or the beginning of the training.
Presentation of dishes in Entrepreneurship and Nutrition Valencia
On September 20, within the framework of the V cohort of the Entrepreneurship and Nutrition program in Valencia, Carabobo state, 16 participants presented their three-course menus. The event was held at the headquarters of Gourmet Food and Catering C.A., under the direction of her representative, chef Bettina, who provided practical tips on the face-to-face dynamics of the preparation and sample of the dish for each group of participants. In it were present: Andrea Antichan, representative of Ford Motor of Venezuela; chef Nelson Valecillos; the TyP regional coordinator, Endrina Cerró; César Córdoba, coordinator of TyP Communication; Yralí Palacios, local coordinator, and the accompaniment coordinator, Francys Burgos. The entrepreneurs showed the knowledge and skills learned in their training with their dishes, managing to maintain the balance of flavors, nutritional balance, and providing a pleasant tasting experience.
Accompaniment meeting on Growing in Networks
On September 20, the Growing in Networks training was organized covering the importance of networking, alliances, cooperation between entrepreneurs, and its current advantages. This activity was carried out in the restaurant El Caney de Leo owned by the graduate Elizabeth Mujica, thanks to the coordinators and trainers TyP, Francys Bandres and Luviasny Lozada. This workshop culminated with a group proposal for the formal organization of a gastronomic community whose initial members are the 14 gastronomic entrepreneurs who participated with the aim of growing in networks.
First Fair of Gastronomic Entrepreneurs in Lara
On September 24, the 1st Fair of Gastronomic Entrepreneurs was held in the state of Lara, in which nine graduates participated and offered different types of salty and sweet products. The event was organized on the terrace of the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish, and during it, the Alma de Lara Foundation was presented, which brought to the delight of all the attendees different musical presentations typical of the region by children and adolescents. Likewise, the local singer-songwriter Ernesto Luis participated. During the fair, attendees were also offered training capsules by the entrepreneurs such as a short activity to learn how to make truffles and Italian meringue.
Forum: A look at the care of the elderly in Venezuela
On September 28, the Trabajo y Persona Civil Association and CAF Social Innovation, together with various allies, held the forum “A look at the care of the elderly in Venezuela” within the framework of program Cuidadores360, the first educational proposal in the comprehensive care of the elderly. The event took place at Impact Hub Caracas and included the participation of Romain Nadal, Ambassador of France; Ana Botero from CAF, Social Innovation; Dr. Rafael Mucci from the Central University of Venezuela and Mildred Rengifo from the Directorate of University Extension; Patricia Fuentes, manager of Ford Motor of Venezuela; Maria Fernanda Pacheco from Impact Hub Caracas and Norma Pérez from Ashoka. In addition, those present were able to hear testimonies from Yarexi Pariata, Leyma Romero, and Yaneh Zanotti on behalf of the graduates of Caregivers360.
Face-to-face barbershop masterclass for accompaniment
On September 28, the first face-to-face accompaniment activity was carried out under the modality “Open courses with impact in accompaniment”, in alliance with @fundacionespaciosuizo and the trainer @barbarojaoficial. It consisted of a barbershop Masterclass in which eight graduates and three people from the general public obtained a variety of knowledge in the trade such as scissor cuts and degraded cuts, tools, products, and advice used by professionals, as well as practices and tasks at home corrected by the trainer. It was the first face-to-face workshop on the trade carried out by the organization in Caracas.
Delivery of billers to Gastronomic Entrepreneurs
On September 30, as part of the training project for Gastronomic Entrepreneurs carried out together with CESAL, 42 billers were delivered to the graduates with the aim of promoting their entrepreneurship and taking it to another level.
Yaicer Vargas successfully continues his training in electronics
The graduate of the II cohort of the Satellite Antenna Installers project, Yaicer Vargas (@camaleon.tech), managed to finish the Intermediate Professional Cell Phone Repair Course at the Kangaroo Pro Academy. They were two weeks of intense training with many updates and new techniques. Some of the topics exposed in the 50 academic hours were: the study of schematic plans, reballing, analysis of common failures, reference signals and voltage drops, types of signals, among others. The instructors on this occasion were Julio Aponte, CEO of Kangaroo Pro, and Jialiang Feng. In addition, Yaicer received a free license for one month of Borneo Schematic, a program that allows you to view in a practical way the schematic plans of a piece of equipment, repair manuals and official diagrams.
Virtual Forum by Christie Zerpa
The graduate of the II cohort of the Diploma in Chocolate Entrepreneurship, Christie Zerpa, organized a forum on Telegram called “Introduction to Chocolate, from bean to bar”. Christie continues to provide virtual training for new entrepreneurs who want to learn more about Venezuelan cacao and the process of transformation from seed to bar.
María Laura Molina was part of a Mérida tourist showcase
The Gastronomic Entrepreneur who graduated from the I cohort, María Laura Molina Varillas, was present at a tourist showcase organized by the Mérida state government, in which she was part of the delegation that represented the town of Tovar. She, with her UMAMI initiative, participated in the event with the exhibition of products such as meats, smoked cheeses, and a good variety of sauces. María Laura was able to establish cooperative relationships with other entrepreneurs and was able to promote her work.
Mayra Castellanos and her sponsorship in the Queen of Cocoa
The graduate of the I cohort of the Diploma in Chocolate Entrepreneurship, Mayra Castellanos, participated with “La Fiesta del Cacao” as a sponsor in the coronation of the Queen of Cocoa 2022, held at the Tulio Febres Cordero Cultural Center in the city of Mérida. The graduate provided training in the cocoa subject to the contest participants.
Yenitza López organized the 1st Cocoa and Cocui Festival
The graduate of the 1st cohort of the virtual course Entrepreneurs of Chocolate within the framework of the Venezuela Tierra de Cacao project, Yenitza López, promoted the 1st Cocoa and Agave Cocui Festival in Barquisimeto. The visitors had the opportunity to learn everything related to the benefits offered by these two plants that are endemic to America. Training, cultural activities, live classes, tastings, demonstrations, contests, and exhibitions of entrepreneurs were carried out at the event, in addition to highlighting the importance of planting both items due to their adaptable conditions. Entrepreneur Edna López was also involved in the organizing team of the festival. Both graduates met in bonbon-making classes, and since then they have managed to establish a high-value friendship that has facilitated both their growth and development of their enterprises.
Gina Trejo’s business continues to grow
The graduate of the II cohort of the Diploma in Chocolate Entrepreneurship, Gina Trejo, continues to grow with her entrepreneurship Agih Creations, in which she offers her clients different presentations of cakes decorated according to the occasion and tastes. In addition, her business is already legally registered. She recently incorporated balloon arrangement services for different occasions as well as delivery to her clients.
Raquel Salas Molina and her entrepreneurship
The graduate of the II cohort of Entrepreneurs of Chocolate in Bailadores, Raquel Salas Molina, has been developing her entrepreneurship which she has called RQL Café, with premises located in the city of Tovar, state of Mérida. The gastronomic offer is varied; It ranges from Andean pastries and a variety of appetizers, including fast food such as hamburgers, French fries and hot dogs. She also offers custom-made desserts for her customers.
Jean Franco Sanabria spoke about mental health on the radio
The graduate of the Caregivers360 program in Valencia, Jean Franco Sanabria, is currently a 5th-year medical student and works as director of public health of the Scientific Society of Medical Students of the University of Carabobo. From there he was invited to the radio program “Find out here” by Frenesí 107.9 FM, to raise awareness about mental health care within the framework of suicide prevention month.
Virginia Rodríguez in a cocoa course
The graduate of the V virtual cohort of the Venezuela Tierra de Cacao project, Virginia Rodríguez, participated in the course: Cocoa, transformation and evaluation processes, given by the Institute of Sciences of the Central University of Venezuela. This activity was carried out in the Kharis school-laboratory facilities.
Eneida Useche’s presentation
The graduate of the II online cohort of the Caregivers360 program under the alliance with the Swiss Embassy, Eneida Useche, participated in the 1st National Disability Congress in Mérida with her presentation: Adapted physical activity as a means to build a system of inclusive health.
Rosa Rangel as a guest on a radio program
The graduate of the III cohort of the Venezuela Tierra de Cacao project, Rosa Rangel (@somos_dulceros), had a radio interview on Mirna Yonis’s Rutas de Saberes y Bienestar program on Glocal Radio. In this episode they talked about the inseparable line that exists between flavors and knowledge, emotions and moments, sweets and memories, demonstrating that gastronomy is, without a doubt, a fusion of knowledge and culture. The complete recording can be heard on Telegram through this link.
Nakari Jukisz held a workshop of the Fundación Empresas Polar
The Beauty Entrepreneur graduated from the II cohort, Nakari Jukisz (@naks_oficial), is preparing to formalize her entrepreneurship in fashion design and sewing for men and women. To achieve this goal, this month she strengthened her knowledge with Fundación Empresas Polar in a specialized workshop for entrepreneurs facilitated by Marjorie Marrero. This 12-hour training offered participants the necessary foundations for the construction of the cost structure, determination of prices of their products, and criteria for making financial decisions, taking into account the economic context of Venezuela and the challenges it poses for entrepreneurs.
The pastry workshop of María Eugenia Ramírez
The Chocolate Entrepreneur graduate, María Eugenia Ramírez (@myf_cakes), offered the “Buttercream Cake Workshop” training to eight entrepreneurs in the trade. The duration of the workshop was eight hours of theoretical-practical participation. Among the content taught are: basic cake, resistant or stable buttercream, chocolate and vanilla buttercream, dark chocolate ganache for fillings, frieze, almond praline, golden drip, colorimetry, sleeve and nozzle manipulation, among others.
A beauty conversation on Instagram with Darling Rendon
The Beauty Entrepreneur who graduated from the VIII cohort, Darling Rendon (@esdarlingrendon), was invited by Joselyn Suster, director of the Nova Academy beauty school, to talk about everything you should know when starting a business in the area of beauty such as training, areas of greatest profitability, payback time, customer service and how to get started. All of Darling’s tips and suggestions can be heard again through this link.
Sonia Lopez expanded the menu of her business
The Gastronomic Entrepreneur, a graduate of the IV cohort of Entrepreneurship and Nutrition-Gastronomy360, Sonia Lopez (@sweetcupcakessoni), is expanding her gastronomic proposal, offering her clients her trademark cupcakes, as well as delicious alfajores and brownies. This expansion of her menu also includes a Sweet Box, which contains 100 assorted desserts, ideal for events. All of this is a sign of the motivation and perseverance that Sonia has put into publicizing her entrepreneurship and continuing to grow in the gastronomic profession.
The workshops of Maria Gabriela Andrea
The graduate of the II virtual cohort of the Venezuela Tierra de Cacao project, Ma. Gabriela Andrea (@conkakawa), in alliance with the Cacibo farm, has organized workshops for children and adults from the La Planta community in Choroní. For three weeks, through games and dynamic classes, they learned the basics of working with cocoa, from the preparation of mendiants, milk chocolate, white chocolate, 70% chocolate, and spreads.