Victor Valle

Victor M. Valle is a professor emeritus at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. He writes extensively on urban politics, economy, and food for a variety of media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and Gastronomica: The Journal for Food Studies. He is the author of Recipe of Memory: Five Generations of Mexican Cuisine.

less than 1 minute read

⤓ Download a transcript of the Episode as a PDF // → Subscribe

In this podcast episode, Phil Arnold and Sandy Bigtree interview Victor Valle, an author and professor, about his book The Poetics of Fire: Metaphors of Chile Eating in the Borderlands. Valle discusses his research on the history and cultural significance of chile peppers in Mesoamerica and the borderlands. He explores the use of metaphors and poetics in understanding the culinary arts and how different cultures perceive and use chile peppers. Valle also delves into the racialization of chile peppers and the impact of industrial agriculture on their genetic diversity. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining diversity in food crops and the need to recognize and respect Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in culinary arts. Valle also shares his personal background and experiences as a journalist covering issues related to immigration and labor rights.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Victor Valle, "S03E06: Exploring the Cultural, Historical, and Culinary Significance of Chilis with Victor Valle.," Doctrine of Discovery Project (7 December 2023), https://doctrineofdiscovery.org/blog/S03E06/.

Donate today!

Open Access educational resources cost money to produce. Please join the growing number of people supporting The Doctrine of Discovery so we can sustain this work. Please give today.