Bellingham’s demographics are primarily White-dominated, and diversity within ethnicities and cultures isn’t widely celebrated like Seattle or Vancouver. While the culinary scene in Bellingham is not as diverse, talented chefs across the globe have brought their home food to the city in hopes of spreading their culture and stories. The growing international cuisine in Bellingham reflects the city’s efforts to promote cultural diversity and for talented chefs to share their stories and food with the community.
Bryan Matamorosa is the owner and chef of Bry’s Filipino Cuisine, and grew up in the Bicol Province in the Philippines, where he later moved to the US when he was 19. Matamorosa’s culinary journey has brought him to various places in the United States. Now, Matamorosa recently opened his restaurant featuring local Filipino cuisine and dishes from his hometown province.
Mulunesh Belay was born and raised in Ambo, Ethiopia, and began her culinary journey at five years old, learning to cook with her mother. Since coming to the US from Ethiopia, Belay has fulfilled her two dreams of opening her restaurant and writing a cookbook with original recipes. Named after her hometown, Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine showcases Ethiopian foods and traditions through the culinary skills Belay has honed for years.
Born and raised in Cape Verde, South Africa, Marlon Cruz grew up knowing that he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts. His dreams brought him to Lisbon, Portugal, where he worked as a chef at a local hostel. He continued to cultivate his skills after moving to the U.S. and now works as a line chef at a restaurant on the marina in Bellingham, Washington.
Cruz’s passion for cooking grew from his admiration for his mom, family, and culture. He has faced countless hardships while navigating the culinary world abroad and overcoming cultural adversities when traveling across the globe. With this, the filmmaker hopes Cruz’s story encourages people to pursue their dreams despite future issues they might face in pursuit of their goal.
Filmed and edited by Jordan Brotamonte
Featuring: Marlon Cruz
Production assistance: Isabella Vandaveer
Music: “Lovely Ras” by Treasure Cove Studio
This video was produced for the Digital Media in Journalism class at Western Washington University during winter quarter 2025.
Selena Biwit is an officer on the 2024-25 Filipino American Student Association (FASA) club at Western Washington University. Follow along for a glimpse into what a meeting looks like!