Manolo López

Manolo López is a Puerto Rican chef, producer, and activist who gained prominence with Mofon•GO, the first Puerto Rican food stand at Smorgasburg, Brooklyn's largest weekly open-air food market. What started as a simple concept—mofongo (a smashed plantain bowl filled with meat) on the go—evolved into a celebrated culinary venture that connected New Yorkers with Puerto Rican culture and history through food.

Beyond the kitchen, López has emerged as a powerful voice for Puerto Rican communities, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane María when he transformed his business focus to address food security issues on the island. Through his Cosa Nuestra Relief Fund, he helped rebuild local restaurants and raised over $55,000 for recovery efforts. Now based in California, López continues to build bridges between communities through food-centered cultural events, speaking engagements, and storytelling projects, including hosting Spotify's podcast "Identity at Play."