Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Forging a Food Legacy Beyond the Spotlight
In an era where celebrity offspring often navigate the fine line between inheritance and innovation, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara emerges as a compelling figure of reinvention. The 33-year-old son of Sofia Vergara, the Colombian actress who conquered Hollywood with her wit and resilience, sat down for an intimate interview, revealing the complexities of familial influence and cultural entrepreneurship.
At the heart of the discussion is TOMA, Manolo’s burgeoning food brand, which pays homage to latin culture while addressing contemporary demands for authenticity and comfort. Drawing from his Colombian roots and recognizing the need for better latin-inspired frozen food in grocery stores, TOMA offers delicious empanadas and more, evoking the communal essence of latin gatherings.
Check out more with our favorite iconic son and mom duo and don’t forget to try Toma ( https://www.eattoma.com/ )
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
Sofia Vergara: Do you remember a first memory of food that made you think, “One day I want to sell this to a stranger?”
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: I don’t know. I never thought I would be selling food to people, to be honest.
Sofia Vergara: The name TOMA, who gets credit for that?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: You. It was you, although you forgot that you created it.
Sofia Vergara: Well, I was looking for too many names at the same time. Tell me about the product flavor you fought hardest to keep.
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: The vegan one was definitely one that nobody wanted, and now it’s our best seller in California.
Sofia Vergara: We just gave Monaco a taste of Colombia. Could empanadas be the new croissants?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Monaco has their own version of an empanada. I forget the name of it right now. It starts with a B. Croissants are actually not French; they’re Austrian. But yeah, that was great. I think people really liked it.
Sofia Vergara: They tasted great on the boat. Plane lands anywhere, any hour. Where are we eating?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Where would you eat?
Sofia Vergara: If it’s in Italy, a pizza place.
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: If I am in LA, probably Zanku chicken.
Sofia Vergara: What was the biggest fight we’ve had building Toma?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: The name.
Sofia Vergara: Finish this sentence: “In ten years, Mom, I hope you are…”
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Happy.
Sofia Vergara: Married.
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Alive, happy, and married.
Sofia Vergara: What is your guilty pleasure snack?
Sofia Vergara: Baklava.
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Yeah, 100%. And foie gras, caviar toast.
Sofia Vergara: What’s a secret ingredient you add when I’m not looking?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Salt.
Sofia Vergara: No wonder!
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Everything needs salt, you’re crazy.
Sofia Vergara: The freezer aisle is often where international food gets flattened into clichés. When you slide open that glass door and see TOMA, what do you hope is accomplished?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: I hope people see something authentic, that it’s not a cliché, that we’re selling something real. You know, some real Latin food that is delicious and comes from a real place and not, you know, some fake thing.
Sofia Vergara: Yeah, it’s a real deal, it’s home, a homey Latin food.
Sofia Vergara: What fragrance is an invisible accessory, and what scent brings you the most happiness?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Garlic! My God, garlic is delicious.
Sofia Vergara: Looking back at a single childhood moment on that journey, what taught you the meaning of home, and how does it guide your choices now?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Home is wherever you are. There’s no such thing as a home; home is not a place. Home is where you make it. Since we moved so much, home is not one place. Home is just wherever you are, and where Baguette is.
Sofia Vergara: What’s next, and how do you plan to disrupt the food scene?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Well, we have a lot of exciting stuff coming up for TOMA. We’re opening in some new places. We’ve got some theme parks coming up, even some colleges. We have a lot of stuff, so that’s exciting.
Sofia Vergara: Well, hopefully it’ll be everywhere, because everybody’s asking for it. What is your cooking playlist?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: Well, at the moment we’ve got “Maschio” by Annalisa, which is very good. We’ve got some LOD, Lady Gaga, her new stuff is great. When I’m cooking, I want something a little more toned down.
Sofia Vergara: What should we add to the already perfect menu that you feel we’re still missing?
Manolo Gonzalez Vergara: I want to try some new flavored empanadas, some more dessert options, and maybe more variety of gluten-free/vegan options.
Sofia Vergara: The limit is endless because we can do anything. In the empanadas world, you can do anything.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Michelle Gonzalez (@enfoque_lumiere)
Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)
Production Assistant: Frida García D Adda (@fridadda_)
Grooming: Jefferson T. (@getyohairdid)
Wardrobe Stylist: Branden Ruiz (@branden.ruiz)
