As part of its Voices AMPLIFIED! series, Omaha Performing Arts is presenting a virtual cook-along program with a side dish of cultural conversation.

Elie of Elie’s Chinchorro will share how to make Mofongo con carne frita, a beloved Puerto Rican dish that represents culture, flavor, and resilience. It’s a dish full of tradition and pride, often enjoyed during special gatherings with family and friends.

Registration is required to receive the recipe and link to access the virtual presentation. The suggested ticket price is $10, but options to pay more or less are available, including a free ticket for people for whom cost is a barrier.

For more information, visit the O-pa Voices AMPLIFIED website.

Elie Berchal started selling the food of her heritage out of necessity—she lost her job and had two kids in college and two more in high school. Berchal first started the business out of her home, taking part in pop-ups, street festivals, and farmers markets. After a couple of years of hard work, the family opened a restaurant across from the old Lo Sole Mio location on 36th Street. In June 2024, the Berchal family moved into their new home at 16th and Cuming, serving dishes that, as she describes, come from cooking with their hearts.