In an emotional episode of Walk-In Talk—the #1 food podcast on Apple—Chef Ciji Castro opens up about her heritage, purpose, and honoring the ancestral dish that has shaped Domestic Gourmet as a CPG brand.
When Walk-In Talk—the #1 food podcast on Apple—invited Ciji Castro to the studio, she didn’t just show up with stories. She brought soul. She brought sabor. She brought pasteles.
Unpacking Burnout, Motherhood, and Invisible Illness
In a raw and resonant episode alongside Colleen Silk, founder of Hospitality Bites Media and a leading voice for mental health in the industry, they spoke candidly about the invisible burdens hospitality professionals carry—from postpartum struggles to chronic illness, from burnout to the pressure of always “showing up” in front of the pass, on camera, and at home.
Why Ciji Brought Pasteles on the Food Podcast—Even with No Time
But amidst the heaviness, Ciji offered a symbol of resilience: her Puerto Rican pasteles.
They’re labor intensive. You don’t just throw together pasteles. But I knew I had to bring them. They represent who I am, where I come from, and the women who came before me.” — Ciji Castro
Photo by Ibis Images
Despite the short notice, Ciji chose to honor her roots—grating green bananas and yautia, mixing pork with annatto oil – aceite de achiote, spices, sofrito, and wrapping each pastele in banana leaves by hand. Why? Because ancestral food is sacred.
Honoring Heritage, Reimagining Tradition
Also featured was her innovative take on the Elena Ruz, the classic Cuban sandwich reimagined with her modern twist—another nod to preserving culture while evolving it for a new generation.
Food as Identity, Empathy, and Healing
Throughout the episode, the conversation touched on the deeper “why” behind food: connection, identity, and healing. Whether you’re in the industry or simply someone who’s ever carried more than they let on, this episode reminds us that the kitchen can be a place of both burden and beauty—and sometimes, your ancestors are right there with you, folded into the masa.
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