Born and raised in Cape Verde, South Africa, Marlon Cruz grew up knowing that he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts. His dreams brought him to Lisbon, Portugal, where he worked as a chef at a local hostel. He continued to cultivate his skills after moving to the U.S. and now works as a line chef at a restaurant on the marina in Bellingham, Washington.

Cruz’s passion for cooking grew from his admiration for his mom, family, and culture. He has faced countless hardships while navigating the culinary world abroad and overcoming cultural adversities when traveling across the globe. With this, the filmmaker hopes Cruz’s story encourages people to pursue their dreams despite future issues they might face in pursuit of their goal.

Filmed and edited by Jordan Brotamonte

Featuring: Marlon Cruz

Production assistance: Isabella Vandaveer

Music: “Lovely Ras” by Treasure Cove Studio

This video was produced for the Digital Media in Journalism class at Western Washington University during winter quarter 2025.