Amy Rivera-Nassar
Tell us about you and your work.
Hola, me llamo Amaryllis Rivera-Nassar, but I am known to many as Amy. I'm a Philly bred Boricua who has worked in Development, Marketing, Public Relations, and Event Planning. I've always had a sweet spot for planning events and the food culture of Philadelphia. I started merging these two interests in 2012, having co-led BigBite Philly, a food competition series with two signature events - Wing King and Philly Chili Bowl. BigBite brought together everyday cooks and up-and-coming chefs to compete for a yearly title. BigBite was a stand-alone concept because it featured a diverse food community and collaborated with artists, musicians, and cultural influencers to bring additional event experiences.
BigBite led to my role as an Event Planner and eventually the Director of Marketing for FEASTIVAL, Philly's premier culinary tasting event bringing together over 75 restaurants and restauranteurs. FEASTIVAL celebrates the arts and culinary culture in the city in such a vibrant way while also acting as a major benefactor for FringeArts. While at FEASTIVAL, I was also a Senior Account Executive at Profile Public Relations, one of Philadelphia's top firms representing the city's finest in hospitality.
In 2017, I decided to hang up my many hats to focus on my growing family. Staying at home with my two beautiful daughters has been an amazing life experience and always reminds me of being home with my own mother growing up. During my time home, I was able to focus more on my own kitchen, and by 2018 I launched Amy's Pastelillos - a tribute to my mother and a way to share my nostalgia for Puerto Rican home cooking. My mother was an amazing and extremely humble cook who fed the masses. As a young girl, she cooked for her (nine) siblings and their children, and ever since, she cooked for large numbers of people. My mother was a true gem, and I strive to be like her in the kitchen. While my pastelillos aren't perfect, they are damn good - thanks to Mami. If you don't know, pastelillos are traditional, usually fried, turnovers that are easily found beachside in Puerto Rico but pop up on lots of menus as well. I wanted to hone in on this particular food item because I love coming up with creative fillers, and it really takes me back to the kioskos of Puerto Rico. I offer a variety of other Boricua goodies, but pastelillos are the star of my show.
When Hurricane Maria struck the island in September 2017, I joined forces with the "Taina" of AfroTaino, to support those affected, and together we launched GUSTO!. GUSTO is an event series focused on raising money and awareness of the severe needs on the island - and a platform that features the expansive and diverse Latinx culinary community in the city. Past GUSTO events include a five-day popup with two Latina James Beard nominees - an effort to raise funds for earthquake relief - and a Bad Bunny Brunch supporting Taller Salud, an organization focused on important resources for women on the island.
In 2018 I also became the Kitchen Curator for Garage Philly, a two-location kitchen resource for up-and-coming cooks and dynamic food businesses, oftentimes popping up myself with Amy's Pastelillos. Today, the goal for Amy's Pastelillos is to expand my food journey in the kitchen and continue to carve out an avenue in the Philadelphia food space where Puerto Rican cuisine can be more recognized.
What does community mean to you?
I grew up immersed in a community. As the daughter of pastors, we were raised on the ideals of community and giving back. There was never a Sunday where my house didn't have 30-40 people in it. My parents were hosts, and my mother was a queen in the kitchen. My father provided healing and hope, and my mother offered comfort through food. Laughter tied it all together. I guess it's no surprise that my upbringing has influenced my professional and personal interests in raising money, host events, and cook. Always give back. Always help. Always feed. Always laugh. Always listen. That's a community to me.
Favorite film
Wow. That's a tough question. If you know me, you know I'm a kid at heart. I'm going to go with the Goonies on this one. Kids on a mission to save their town is pretty badass. Plus, Chunk is hilarious. It's not a serious film, but a helluva 80's classic.
Favorite song
Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones.
Favorite place
Flamingo Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico. Pastelillo in hand.