Culinary trends are notoriously fickle, and sometimes it pays to stick with what you know instead of following the trend. These Forbes Under 30 Food & Drink honorees have found success founding companies influenced by their own cultural traditions. Find out what inspired them, in 30 words or less.
MIGUEL GARZA
Cofounder, Siete Family Foods | 30
Garza's business, founded with sister Veronica, makes grain-free, gluten-free tortillas and chips. The Texas operation generates $1 million in annual revenue; its products are in 2,000 stores nationwide.
IRENE LI
Cofounder, Mei Mei Restaurant & Street Kitchen | 28
The Cornell grad--a three-time James Beard Rising Star Chef semifinalist--and her two siblings run a Chinese-food truck and restaurant in Boston with $1 million-plus in annual sales.
DAVID FOULQUIER
Founder, Fooq's | 28
Half-French, half-Persian restaurateur's Miami place features an eclectic menu inspired by his background; dishes include blonde cremeux and ghormeh sabzi. In March, he opened his second eatery, in Manhattan.
MARIAN CHENG
Cofounder, Mimi Cheng Dumplings | 30
First-generation American runs two Manhattan eateries with her sister, Hannah. The fast-casual restaurants are named for Cheng's Taiwanese mother; their handmade dumplings are from the matriarch's recipe.
