Students, faculty, and university leaders at the 同性恋色情 got a taste of Tampa culinary history when the family behind visited the Judy Genshaft Honors College for a live cooking demonstration on Feb. 6.
Honors students Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena share a Cuban sandwich with Amelia Turner after the show.
Hosted in the one-of-a-kind Leona Genshaft Food and Culture Studio as part of the Honors College鈥檚 new Made to Share series, the Gonzmart family demonstrated the preparation of two of the restaurant鈥檚 signature
dishes for Honors College students and staff, President Emerita Judy Genshaft, former
同性恋色情 President Rhea Law, and other special guests.
Developed and hosted by Honors students Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena, Made to Share
highlights local chefs and organizations dedicated to preserving culture, health,
and the environment through food and culinary practices, bringing them together with
curious students for vibrant cooking demonstrations, conversation, and shared meals.
鈥淭he Gonzmart family were truly our dream guests for the very first Made to Share
event,鈥 Requena said. 鈥淭he Columbia Restaurant is such an important part of Tampa鈥檚
history and culture, and having the opportunity to host their family made the show
incredibly special for everyone involved.鈥
Quality Ingredients with History
The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City has been open for more than 100 years and has
endured cultural and economic shifts throughout its history. During more challenging
periods, the restaurant leaned on tradition to stay afloat.
鈥淥ur food is all about history,鈥 said Richard Gonzmart, fourth-generation caretaker
of the Columbia Restaurant. 鈥淥ur menu is all about where it comes from.鈥
Columbia Restaurant merchandise and specialty wines.
While preparing the Columbia鈥檚 Cuban sandwich and 1905 Salad, the Gonzmarts emphasized the importance of quality ingredients. From a longstanding relationship with La Segunda Central Bakery to an exclusive commitment to using Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, the Columbia Restaurant has maintained traditions that have helped its dishes endure for generations.
There has long been debate surrounding the Cuban sandwich 鈥 from its origin story
to the order of its ingredients and where to find the best one. For the Gonzmarts,
however, the sandwich represents the beginning of their family鈥檚 legacy in Tampa,
the fusion of cultures within the city, and a commitment to tradition. When customers
request alterations to the sandwich, Richard Gonzmart makes sure they understand what
they are changing.
鈥淵ou can do it, but it鈥檚 just not a real Cuban sandwich,鈥 he said.
For Andrea Gonzmart Williams, daughter of Richard Gonzmart and a fifth-generation
caretaker, the sandwich also carries personal meaning.
鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just a sandwich,鈥 Gonzmart Williams said. 鈥淚 joked once that I was a walking
Cuban sandwich because I have German, Italian, Spanish, and Cuban in me.鈥
Deepening Community Ties
The Columbia Restaurant attracts visitors from around the world who travel to Ybor
City in Tampa to experience the restaurant and its signature dishes. Growing up in
the restaurant, Gonzmart Williams said she did not always realize how meaningful the
space was to both travelers and local residents.
鈥淚t鈥檚 mind-blowing to me because it鈥檚 just a part of my life, but people come to see
us. It鈥檚 such an honor,鈥 she said.
Amelia Turner, Andrea鈥檚 daughter, reflected on growing up in the restaurant and the sense of community among employees and family members alike.
Honors students enjoy the Original Cuban Sandwich and 1905 Salad in the Leona Genshaft Food and Culture Studio.
鈥淚 remember going there whenever I had school off, and it was amazing how much of
a family everyone was,鈥 Turner said. 鈥淓veryone knew each other.鈥
For the Gonzmart family, community engagement and family remain core values. Gonzmart
Williams concluded the demonstration by encouraging audience members to gather around
food with the people they care about most.
鈥淲hen things are going bad, my favorite thing to do is sit around a table with my
dearest friends and family and enjoy food,鈥 she said.
The Honors College plans to host Made to Share events every semester.
鈥淲e are incredibly fortunate to have world-class spaces like the Leona Genshaft Food
and Culture Studio that allow the college to create learning experiences students
simply cannot get in a traditional classroom setting,鈥 said Charles Adams, dean of
the Judy Genshaft Honors College. 鈥淧rograms like Made to Share bring together culture,
community, and hands-on learning in ways that inspire curiosity and connection.鈥