Migrant Visibility, Agency, and Identity Work in Hospitality Enterprises

Abstract This article examines how migrants create value through food- and hospitality-related enterprises, focusing on the ways in which they exercise their agency mobilizing various cultural resources organizational practices intersect with identity work. Drawing empirical research conducted São Paulo, Brazil, it explores specific dishes, knowledge of food, recipes, craft skills, migration histories are transformed into valued these kinds enterprises. The three themes: first, foods become “pliable heritage” migrants’ work; second, ongoing work shapes activities experiences food hospitality businesses; third, individual is entangled collective interests a wider set (migrant) stakeholders.