I am a chef, food consultant, entrepreneur, cooking show personality, and a dreamer. I enjoy working on new projects, and helping others achieve their goal.
Winner of 1st place 2012 “3dr UNCTAD Women in Business Award” with our Gluten Free Products made with tropical flours .
I am proud Panamanian, citizen of the world! Traveling is my passion. I appreciate learning about a culture through food. Learn more: http://about.me/melissadeleon
Latest posts by Melissa De León
Americas: End of the Year Traditions
End of the year traditions across Latin America are varied, as many include local customs, the preparation of delicious food, and plenty of loud fireworks. This is a collection of how some bloggers spent their holidays throughout the region.
Panama: The Kuna Indigenous Group and the Use of Technology
The Kuna indigenous group in Panama have had very little access to internet and other technologies. Gilberto Alemancia, is of Kuna ethnicity, and is a well-experienced photographer and a tourism guide. On some excursions, he has conducted digital photography workshops to children in remote regions of the country. Melissa De León had the opportunity to interview Alemancia about his passion.
Across the Panamanian Blogosphere
There is plenty on the mind of the Panamanian blogosphere, with topics ranging from the fate of former leader Manuel Noriega to a delicious tree tomato. Melissa De Leòn Douglass covers these broad topics in this blog round-up from Panama.
Panama: 37th OAS General Assembly, A Trail of Poisoned Medicine and Update on the New Immigration and Health Laws
# At the same time the OEA (OAS, Organization of American States) celebrated their thirty-seventh Regular Session of the OEA General Assembly in Panama from June 3-5, 2007, there were many congregations of groups peacefully protesting against the recent developments in Venezuela, involving the closing of RCTV which, to many,...
Panama: Political Season Heating Up, The Return of Noriega, and Crime in Panama: a Love Story
Presidential elections in Panama are not scheduled until May 2009, but bloggers are already keeping a watchful eye out for any developments. Another interesting turn of events that will arrive sooner than the elections is the expected release of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. Finally, in addition to blog entries about visas, travel and food, one blogger's hopeful encounter with a beautiful woman turns out to be something more unexpected and less appealing.
Food Blogs: Pata de Cerdo from Spain, Pork Katsu from Japan and Stir-fried Pork with Cincaluk from Malaysia
Another installment of food blogs from around the world focuses on the use of pork in many different types of delicious dishes. Chef Melissa De Leòn Douglass takes us on a tour.
The Panama Canal Expansion, Labor Day Issues and Quingming
Panamanian bloggers talk about food, Labor Day closings and the Panama Canal expansion. In addition, one blogger talks about the practice of honoring the dead in China.
Ropa Vieja and Malanga, Guarapo de Piña, and Colita de Cuadril from across Latin America
From so-called "dirty clothes" in Cuba to guarapo de piña in Venezuela; from organic produce in Uruguay to succulent Argentine tri-tip and fresh cheese in Panama: Chef Melissa de Leon takes us for a lip-smacking expedition through Latin America's cocinasphere.
Panama: Bocas Dolphins Under Threat, and Non-Lethal Personal Security Devices in Panama.
#1: From The Noriegaville News, Bocas Dolphins Under Threat : My own opinion of this project is it is simply a commercial venture using and probably abusing the natural resources of Panama. The continued use of the buzzword abundance in their proposal confirms my feeling. How do you increase abundance...
Arepa de Huevo from Colombia, Ceviche from Ecuador and Pupusas from El Salvador!
#1: From Colombia: Nika's Culinaria shares a delicious recipe with step-by-step photos on how to prepare a traditional Colombian delicacy: Arepa de Huevo (Arepa with Egg) My first experience with it was when we visited Colombia 25 years ago. As in other latin american countries, street vendors sell all manner...
Panama: HSBC Sues Customer for Yahoo Postings
#1: From Panama's Noriegaville News: Uproar among expats about HSBC Panama SLAPP suit If the intention was to silence criticism of its service, the attempt has already miserably failed. A storm of protest and foreigners closing their accounts has so far been the result of a lawsuit HSBC Panama has...
Panama: More Deadly Than War
#1: Panama Guide reports on Charity Expat Social: …We ate dinner with Sister Griselda Rios who has been working with the orphanage for more than three years. They have about 160 children there at any one time. She came to the dinner with Felipe Arosemena (hijo) who has been at...
Street food from Panama, Mandoo from Korea, and a Hot Pot Video from Shanghai
#1: From Korea: Kimchi Mamas and a recipe to prepare Mandoo, the easy to prepare Korean dumplings! If you've never made mandoo before, it really isn't hard. The dumpling-making is the most time-consuming part. Once they are made, you simmer the mandoo gently in a pork-beef-chicken broth (yes, all three)...
UXcamp, Information Architects in Panama & 2007 Panama Jazz Festival
#1: Jorge Arango reports on the first UXcamp – an user experience gathering in Panama.Last night BootStudio hosted what is probably the first user experience gathering in Central America: UXcamp. We had a pretty good turnout, and folks (web desigers and developers, for the most part) seemed genuinely excited about...
Argentina's King Fish, Panama's Year, and Easy Kerala Parotta
#1: Jeremy Shapiro, the Chef behind Stir the Pots, narrates his adventures during his trip to the Ecuadorean Andes: The array of colors and smell was inspiring as a chef.All I needed were my knives, a stove and a kitchen!What surprised me about such a humble town was the cleanliness...
Global Food Blog Report #35
#1: Yulinka Cooks shares her recipe to prepare Sauerkraut. This new food blogger cooks up Russian food, an often-overlooked food from the former Soviet republics, especially Uzbekistan, Armenia and Georgia. My sauerkraut is currently on day three of fermenting, and I’m excited to think that it could be done as...
Pana-Blogs Report
#1: From Chiriqui Chatter: El Desfile de los Bomberos en David , a very colorful report on a traditional firemen parade that takes place in most large cities in Panama to commemorate the independence festivities of the country. In this case Don shares a collection of photos and even a...
Pana-Blogs Report
#1: Chiriqui Chatter on "Fatal Bus Fire Causes Identified" Don Winner posted the resolution of the bus fire that killed 18 people. To net it out, it was a failure caused by negligent maintenance of the bus. In the US, the mechanic would be looking at serious legal problems. Read...
Global Food Blog Report #34
#1: From Spain: Cocinova cooks up a delicious "Pollo en Salsa de Chocolate" (Chicken in Chocolate Sauce) EN/ES Esta deliciosa receta la probé en casa de Mª Ángeles, y aunque no soy fanática del chocolate, créanme los que son como yo, que el chocolate en esta salsa sabe realmente delicioso;...
Panama Canal Referendum
#1: From Chiriqui Chatter: The Vote for the Big Dig The vote is today for the expansion of the Canal. Voting in Panama is a very serious thing both for referendums such as today’s and for governmental offices. All sides fiercely try to get their vote out. It is interesting...
Global Food Blog Report #33
#1: From Sri Lanka, Janin's between Colombo and Wherever cooks up an interesting dish: Lazy rice! Lazy Rice is the euphemism used for Sri lankan fried rice often made using the leftovers of the previous night including leftover rice. Much alike our blogosphere pundits who ruminate over the leftover arguments...
