Nicolás Urrutia (he/she/they)

Nicolás (Nico) is a Colombian-born, New York City–based food educator and food experience curator. His work explores the intersections of food and culture, seeking to understand, portray, and explain cultural practices, beliefs, and dynamics through the lens of food. He sees food as a universal language: a daily necessity that brings societies together and shapes shared culture. Through ingredients, techniques, tools, and rituals, he uncovers how communities express their identity, the land they inhabit, their customs and belief systems, and the historical movements—such as migration and colonization—that have transformed the way they live and eat.

 

He spends part of his time in classrooms transformed into pop-up kitchens, where he teaches about food, culture, sustainability, and nutrition. Outside the classroom, he creates immersive food experiences such as pop-ups and dinners, writes about food and its relationship with people (including his own), and travels in search of culinary and cultural knowledge—whether across the globe, or within the diverse neighborhoods of New York City. He also collaborates with chefs, artists, and researchers worldwide to craft experiences, artworks, and educational projects that convey powerful messages about food and culture.