How do you embrace a culture that you barely know?
I ask myself that question almost every day since I feel fake for claiming a culture that I hardly know.
You see, the older I get, the prouder I am to say that I have two different cultures in my veins to represent. Being of both Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent is something I grew up thinking was so unique, especially since no one had a last name like mine. However, I felt a tad cheated of my Venezuelan culture since I didn’t grow up with much Venezuelan influence. To be blunt: divorce.
Although I can barely recall much of being in the country, I vividly remember its natural beauty. Despite having family in the capital, Caracas, and near the beaches of Maracaibo, I never realized how much of the culture I had missed until I moved to Gainesville.
Gainesville has become home to many students from near and far…extremely far.
Yet, despite being a small town, there are so many diverse restaurants and establishments in Gainesville for those who crave something close to home to help them stay in harmony with their culture.
According to the Ontario Arts Engagement Study, culture is the lifeblood of a vibrant society, expressed in the many ways we tell our stories, celebrate, remember the past, entertain ourselves and imagine the future. Participating in culture can benefit individuals in many different ways, some of which are deeply personal. Additionally, culture also preserves a community’s sense of place, which in many cases, results in an individual sharing a piece of their culture with a different country or community.
Surprisingly, many food establishments in Gainesville do just that. If you have not familiarized yourself with the Tinker Food Truck, then you have not had the chance to see firsthand just how much food can symbolize an entire culture.
The Impact of Culture with the Tinker Food Truck
The owners, Tinker Quevedo (the truck’s namesake) and Antonella D’Errico, originate from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Big food enthusiasts themselves, they loved traveling to enjoy local cuisines everywhere they went. When they were given the idea of opening their own food truck, they felt it was the perfect way to showcase their culture’s cuisine.
“Bringing [the] Venezuelan experience to Gainesville has become a dream come true! We [ensure that we] are giving our customers a taste of our culture with the best customer service,” says the hardworking couple.
“In Venezuela, it’s normal to eat at food trucks, especially in the evening with friends and family. Our Venezuelan street food and food truck vibe makes it a fun experience [for our customers],” says D’Errico.
The overall food truck atmosphere is informal; there is no need to dress up or worry about dining in anywhere with your food, except for your vehicle, of course. And Quevedo and D’Errico know their customers don’t mind that, especially since they want their customers to feel like family. In fact, the customers are what make the whole Tinker experience rewarding for them. “We treat our customers like family. We have met so many awesome people! [There’s] no better feeling than making them happy with our food!” says D’Errico.
Traditional cuisines such as their Teque balls, arepas stuffed with pernil (slow-cooked pulled pork) and their beef burger, made with 100% Angus beef and house-made sauces are by far the most popular items on their menu.
Their food makes not only those who are new to Venezuelan cuisine happy, but especially those who grew up with the culture.
Full-time UF student, Giuliana Gamero, can vouch for Tinker in a heartbeat. “I was surprised when I found out there was a Venezuelan food truck [in Gainesville] because the only place I can ever find Venezuelan food is in Miami. The food from Tinker makes me feel like [I’m] home,” says Gamero. “Since I am Venezuelan, it is a part of our family tradition to [make] arepas every Sunday and since I don’t have the appropriate ingredients to [make] them here in Gainesville, it makes me feel good knowing that I can continue that tradition … in college.”
Tinker not only impacts the nostalgic customers who are reminded of Venezuelan tradition, but it also holds a huge place in the hearts of the owners as well.
“Tinker has impacted our lives a lot for the better,” says D’Errico. “It has been the most hard-working adventure of our lives. We are so proud of how far we’ve come with Tinker! We have big plans and this is just the beginning.”
And she’s right. The owners have temporarily shut down the food truck and announced that Tinker is opening a restaurant in downtown Gainesville that is set to open October 16th. It will have the house favorites as well as many more traditional cuisines that’ll be added onto the menu.
When asked what customers should expect for the new expansion, D’Errico concluded the interview with this: “Let’s just say that it’ll be a big expansion. If you’re interested [in] a sneak peak, take a look on our Instagram.”
Despite the big change for Tinker, the fun atmosphere, the delicious cuisine and the Venezuelan culture will remain the same.