Page 17 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2018

IMMIGRANT STORIES cont’d from page 16
additional rooms, and the establishment of the restaurant/inn as a prime destination for tourists and locals alike. He’s served on multiple boards (Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Sonoma County Tourist Board to mention few) and he’s received recognition for his contributions to the Community (Spirit of Sonoma, Best of NorthBay Biz). His greatest achievement? “That’s easy. It was nally nding my soul mate, Olenka.”
Olenka Orjeda Airaldi had her own career in banking in Peru when she met Percy through mutual friends. She had degrees from Catholic University and the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences. Olenka had achieved success as a bank manager and leader of the business community in Lima.
Percy convinced her to come to Sonoma County, where she landed in 2012 with limited English but lots of passion and charm. She had always wanted to be a chef, so she got a degree in Culinary Arts while mastering English. Olenka quickly became a star in the foodie community here, teaching classes in Peruvian cooking and hosting many charity events and Pop-Up dinners. “I learned to cook from mi Mamama, who was an awesome cook. From an early age, I was in the kitchen helping grandmother.”
Olenka eventually founded “Olenka Cooks”, which offers classes, private dinners and on-line Peruvian recipes. olenkacooks.com. She has appeared on The Food Network and is already known nationally as an authority on her native cuisine.
Their life together.
Percy and Olenka were married in 2013 and in September 2014, they became parents to twins, Giacomo and Vicenzo. The young boys are virtual celebrities in the County, charming guests at their parents’ many charity events and parties.
Anyone who knows them will tell you that Percy and Olenka are full of energy, perennially upbeat and tirelessly giving back to the community. The pair are great ambassadors for Peru and good role models for new immigrants. When asked to re ect on their own immigrant experiences, Percy o ered this: “I have found that the secret of our success as immigrants in the USA is to be able to integrate into American society while maintaining and loving our heritage”. Isn’t that what the American Dream is all about?
4/18 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 17