The kitchen staff at Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals plays a vital role in supporting athlete success through nutrition and cultural connection, according to a September 25 report. The majority of the staff is Hispanic, bringing diverse culinary traditions to the training facility to fuel players for competition.
Levy Restaurants Director of Operations George Lorenzana, who grew up with a Guatemalan father and an Uruguayan mother, noted that food serves as an emotional and healing connection. Lorenzana stated that the staff works closely with dietitians to ensure players have proper nutrition, particularly for matchday minus one to optimize performance on the field. He emphasized the importance of providing high-quality meals to academy players who live away from their families to make them feel at home.
Sous Chef Jessica Campos, originally from León, Guanajuato, Mexico, emphasized that nutrition is a critical but often overlooked component of player performance. Campos noted that the kitchen staff uses dietary information from dietitians to adjust carbohydrate intake and other nutritional needs based on game schedules. She expressed pride in representing Latino culture and increasing female presence in the kitchen.
Executive Chef Jorge Marquez, who was born in Peru, described the rewarding nature of using childhood skills to prepare Hispanic dishes. Marquez said that while recipes provide food, the communication and care put into every meal is evident in how players react to the food. This hospitality helps build close relationships between the staff and the athletes.
The kitchen staff also serves as a cultural bridge for players from various backgrounds. Cook Janeci Chavez, from Arequipa, Peru, has begun teaching Spanish to some of the RSL academy players to help them feel more at home. Chavez mentioned that players from different countries often seek out traditional items like tortillas, allowing the staff to share their culture through mealtime.
For the staff, the role extends beyond food preparation to becoming part of the Utah soccer family. Chavez stated that she supports the players in both wins and losses, viewing them with a sense of care similar to family.
