A lifelong resident of Southern California, Chabrán grew up in Whittier and earned his degree in sociology and anthropology through the Whittier Scholars Program. In addition to LAist, his work has appeared in The New York Times, Eater LA, Thrillist, and other publications.
He has stayed connected with his alma mater since graduating, most recently as an alumni guest in the experiential learning class Eat Your Words: Food, Culture, and Writing.
“My approach … is to discover how food connects us to the ever-so-layered social fabric of Southern California and how food tells the region's story,” Chabrán told LAist. “Every dish has its historical significance. A taco is not just a taco; it's a window to the Mexican Revolution. Pizza is not just pizza; it's the vehicle for immigrants to enter the restaurant game. Noodles aren't just noodles; it's the personification of generational conflict and perseverance. My framework for writing and assigning stories aims to highlight the rich cultural histories of the L.A. region and broaden the LAist platform further to include, but not exclusive to, previously overlooked populations that exist beyond the confines of the city-area proper yet remain vital to its existence.”
Read more about the event or watch the full video at LAist.com.
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