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Eliz, 24, and Lilyemma, 23, who are in the audience, have their own podcast.

It had just been sent to me by the journalist and podcast producer Taylor Dunn with the subject, “More text messages sunny + eliz.”

Her mother, Debra Vega-Montalvo, who suffered from lupus and died when Eliz was a teenager, was another “very sturdy guide in life and in the kitchen.”

Eliz, 38, says she’s still sorting out where she fits in as a multiracial chef.

Eliz spent the early months of the pandemic working with Melissa Miranda at Musang Community Kitchen.