City of Hillsboro, OR

10/27/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Building Local Businesses, One Recipe at a Time

For the last 10 years, the Cocinemos program has been helping aspiring caterers, food truck owners, restauranteurs, and food manufacturers develop the skills and knowledge needed to start and grow a business.

Part of the Empresas Small Business Development Program by Adelante Mujeres, Cocinemos (Let's Cook) is offered in Spanish and helps community members navigate the benefits and challenges of running a food-based business.

"Thanks to Cocinemos, I have acquired the knowledge and confidence necessary to launch my business," said Estela Vicenta Cacatzum, owner of Pan Quetzal, a bakery known for its homemade Guatemalan bread. "From participating in the 2024 Farmers Market to receiving business coaching, I have managed to take the first solid steps towards my entrepreneurial venture."

Since 2017, Cocinemos has seen more than 180 graduates and helped inspire more than 55 new businesses in the Hillsboro area. The most recent cohort graduated from the 10-week course in fall 2026.

Cocinemos is one of many unique workforce development programs supported by the City of Hillsboro to individuals, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

It teaches a mix of business fundamentals with a food-specific slant.

"Participants develop their business concepts, strengthen their understanding of food safety and regulatory requirements, and learn from experienced entrepreneurs who share the realities of building and operating a food business," said Lourdes Herencia, Director of Microenterprise Programs for Adelante Mujeres.

From the Classroom to the Storefront

Cristhian Lara Morales, owner of Lunas Mexican Bar and Grill in North Plains, graduated from Cocinemos in 2019.

"Adelante Mujeres' investment in small and minority-owned businesses is essential to strengthening our local economy and supporting the well-being of our community," Cristhian said. "I am incredibly grateful to have been part of the Cocinemos program and for the foundation it provided me as an entrepreneur..."

Cristhian had the opportunity to come back to Cocinemos as a panelist and share his story and experience.

"It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on my journey and share how the program helped me take the first steps toward entrepreneurship."

Connecting Entrepreneurs to Opportunities

The program doesn't end when class is over. Cocinemos graduates can access additional resources as they continue developing their businesses. Past participants can become vendors at the Mercado Agrícola de Adelante Mujeres (the Forest Grove Farmers' Market). Selling at the market gives new entrepreneurs an opportunity to build their customer base while putting their marketing and business strategies into practice.

Graduates can also access affordable commercial kitchen facilities through Adelante Mujeres at a reduced cost.

Other ongoing support includes technical assistance and business coaching, whether exploring options for accessing funding and navigating licensing requirements.

Supporting Hillsboro Entrepreneurs

Cocinemos costs $50 per family, with scholarships available for participants experiencing financial hardship. This helps make the program accessible to community members while supporting the continued delivery of services.

Funding for Cocinemos comes from the Community Service Fee paid by businesses located in Hillsboro's Enterprise Zone. Along with other workforce training and economic development programs, Cocinemos helps expand opportunities for Hillsboro community members through entrepreneurial education and support.

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City of Hillsboro, OR published this content on October 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 30, 2026 at 16:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]