New York City and Miami are renowned for their vibrant Caribbean Latino communities, but in the sprawling urban landscape of Los Angeles, these communities represent only about 2% of the population. Finding Caribbean Latin culture and people in Southern California can be a bit more challenging, with fewer restaurants and social events dedicated to the culture. However, two enterprising Dominican Americans in Los Angeles, a chef named Victor Ramos (Chef Vic) and an actress, have taken it upon themselves to bridge this cultural gap by hosting events and celebrations.
Chef Vic, who hails from Puerto Rican and Dominican roots, had a challenging childhood growing up as one of the few Caribbean Latino kids in South L.A. He faced the difficulties of being different, with other kids often mocking his homemade school lunches.
As he grew older, Chef Vic embraced his heritage and pursued a culinary career. In 2016, he launched his own catering business, where he combined Puerto Rican and Dominican flavors, using food as a means to reconnect with the identity he struggled with as a child.
During the pandemic, as restaurants closed down, Chef Vic turned to Instagram to showcase his catering menu and began fulfilling orders across the city. Serendipitously, his Instagram presence caught the attention of none other than Cardi B, who was searching for a Dominican chef in L.A. The rapper and her husband, Offset, became regular clients of Chef Vic’s Caribbean cuisine, establishing his reputation in the city.
In the summer of 2021, Chef Vic and his cousin Massiel Muñoz organized a Caribbean-themed party at a local park, featuring music, domino games, and his signature cultural dishes. This event’s popularity led to a collaboration with the owner of the Friend, a bar in Franklin Hills, and the birth of the term “Capicúa” for their parties, which is a phrase used in the Dominican Republic when playing dominoes to celebrate victory. Since then, Chef Vic’s events have consistently sold out, and he is now seeking a larger venue for future gatherings.
While Chef Vic’s Capicúa was gaining momentum, another Caribbean-themed event, “El Teteo,” was making waves in downtown L.A. This Dominican-themed party was created by Sasha Merci, a Dominican American comedian and actress who moved to Los Angeles from the Bronx in 2018 to advance her career. She missed being part of a Dominican community, and so she started hosting events to connect with people who shared her heritage.
Sasha Merci, with her substantial following on social media, decided to bring together DJs passionate about Caribbean music to create an authentic Dominican party experience. Her journey started in 2019 with a party called “Dominican Hookie” at Blaq Haus NoHo.
However, the pandemic temporarily halted her plans until February 2022, when she organized a Dominican Independence Day event, giving birth to “El Teteo,” which translates to a gathering in the Dominican Republic.
The popularity of “El Teteo” grew rapidly, with nearly 1,000 attendees at one of the recent events. Sasha Merci’s vision and her brand became increasingly influential, drawing the attention of investors who believed in her project. “El Teteo” is not just a place; it’s a vibe, a gathering that fosters a sense of belonging for the Dominican community in Los Angeles.
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The success of events like Capicúa and El Teteo underscores a growing desire for Caribbean culture in Los Angeles, as more Caribbean Latinos make their way to the West Coast. As artists like Bad Bunny and Romeo Santos gain mainstream recognition, other cultures are becoming interested in Caribbean culture.
Both Chef Vic and Sasha Merci aspire to see their events evolve into large-scale festivals that attract diverse audiences while staying true to their cultural roots. If they achieve this, it will be a groundbreaking shift, culturally and racially, especially in a California festival landscape predominantly owned by white Americans. In a city with 4.8 million Latinos, such a change would be a refreshing departure from the status quo.
