Founded by middle class folks on a journey to bring the village mindset back to our hard working, artistic communities. Proudly woman and latino owned, we come from working class families — benefitting from both the power of community and radical hospitality. Today, after decades in restaurants and entertainment we have one ultimate goal, no matter what we’re cooking up — for everybody to eat.
Our Village
Midwest roots and the creative connection of restaurants in Chicago brought our founders together, in business and life. A deep understanding in the power of partnerships has been found in their work over the last twenty years - in restaurants, collaborative events and new business development.
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As a granddaughter of two farming families, born and raised in the Midwest, Liz Mendez learned the art of hospitality on modest means and a village mentality.
After decades of building a portfolio career in and around big city hospitality — including working for iHeart Radio and American Express, Mendez is on a mission to revitalize the way working class creatives work. One hospitable step at a time — at aldea, Liz aims to invigorate small businesses with the combined power of organization and creativity.
As a former bar owner and operator, Liz understands the pressure of running a day-to-day brick and mortar business. Today with a wide range of experience: from corner bars to Michelin stars, large scale new openings to live showcases — no creative project is off limits.
With over twenty years of experience in restaurant operations, beverage development and leadership coaching Liz believes equitable, thriving creative businesses are the future for a new era of service.
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Working in kitchens for three decades has fit Mark Mendez like your favorite softly worn, faded pair of jeans, as he’s always felt at home amongst the chaos - controlled and otherwise, in the kitchen. Growing up on the south side of Chicago in the 70s and 80s sometimes felt like a galaxy far, far away - and while being raised on the village mentality, he left his neighborhood in a lifetime pursuit of hands-on education.
The heritage of Puerto Rico and Italy have been the essential foundation in Mark’s cooking, as seen in his experience both in Chicago and New York City. A career spanning three decades in James Beard award winning restaurants and local neighborhood favorites, led to opening his own restaurant, as well as operating multi million dollar revenue establishments. As an owner Mark learned first hand what it means to wear multiple hats - from marketing, accounting, and leadership development. At aldea, Mark believes in sharing his knowledge and expertise to help small businesses in a continual quest to see the hospitality industry thrive.
PROJECTS
