WHAT
SHOULD WE
COOK?
The Sofrito Project showcases Puerto Rican food culture and connects a diverse group of professional and home cooks alike by focusing on modern takes of classic comfort foods. Reina embodies her culinary passion through interpretations of her favorite cuisines with a simple and fun approach to homestyle cooking that celebrates her diverse background.
With over 10 years of restaurant and industry experience, attending culinary school was the next step in her professional journey. And in 2017, Reina started The Sofrito Project to share and document her love of cooking with friends and family online.
WHO IS REINA?
As a Puerto Rican raised in the South, Reina explores both her multiracial background and cultures through food and writing. Bridging the cultures of her Afro-Caribbean, Latin, and Southern upbringing allows for creativity in the kitchen with her flavorful and delicious recipes, digital cookbooks, and newly-launched spice blends.
As a chef and recipe developer, Reina’s work has been featured in multiple publications, like: The New York Times Magazine, Food & Wine, The Kitchn, Food52, Yummly, Food Network, and more.
Reina currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina. When she’s not busy cooking, she enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, gardening, collecting cookbooks, building botanical Lego sets, and watching a variety of movies.
WHAT
EXACTLY IS
SOFRITO?
Sofrito, also known as recaito, is an herbaceous and aromatic seasoning blend that’s considered the foundation of Puerto Rican cuisine. Certain ingredients vary from culture to culture in both the Caribbean and Latin America but its use shares many similarities across the diaspora. Aside from Puerto Rican dishes, you can add sofrito to just about anything savory for an extra punch of fresh flavor. Sofrito represents my roots, my homeland, and my culture. It’s a labor of love, a project.
