Brazilian chef Jaíne Mackievicz believes food is a soft approach to experiencing a new culture.
“You can convince people through food. You might get a first impression from the color of my skin, but I can convince you through a bite,” Mackievicz said. “I think immigrants and their food bring that so beautifully to society.”
One of the reasons Mackievicz said she won Food Network’s “The Julia Child Challenge” — a culinary competition based on famed chef Julia Child — was because of the Brazilian dishes she made.
Almost a year after the show’s premiere, Mackievicz traveled to Greenville and toured immigrant-owned restaurants throughout the city on March 28.
“I’m excited because I’m going to get a better sense of what Greenville is,” Mackievicz said. “I think (it’s) one thing to learn (from) a Wikipedia page about it. Another thing is (to) come and see how vivid, colorful and flavorful it is because of this food, because of the languages those people speak, because of the connection they have created with this community.”
During her tour, Mackievicz visited Unlocked Coffee Roasters owned by Andres Camargo and Rocío Salazar, a husband-and-wife team from Colombia. Camargo said he was excited to talk with Mackievicz and share his thoughts on immigrant-owned businesses in Greenville.
“I think we are in a city (where) people really love to see different cultures and celebrate that too,” Camargo said. “I think all the new restaurants and all the Hispanic business owners that are bringing that differentiation (are) just adding really good stuff to the city.”
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Mackievicz was invited to Greenville by BDV Solutions, the immigration-employment agency she worked with to obtain her work visa.
After previously experiencing many challenges with the immigration process to get a student visa, Mackievicz said BDV miraculously came into her life years later when she needed to change her visa status again.
“BDV was — during all of that time — so supportive,” Mackievicz said. “I think to have a group like BDV to help you sort it out and understand what you’re getting yourself into. It’s really helpful.”
BDV CEO Britt Vergnolle said she was excited that BDV was able to help Mackievicz continue her culinary journey in the United States and compete in the Food Network competition.
“When you meet the people that you help, and you see how you truly have not only impacted their lives but generations after them — that’s our ‘Why.’ That’s what keeps us going,” Vergnolle said.
The restaurants Mackievicz toured while in Greenville included Pomegranate on Main and Soby’s.
