Peruvian Family Opens Restaurant in Tenerife After Migrant Regularisation
On 20 April, Ana María, 53, her daughter Katherine, 31, and her three-month-old granddaughter visited a post office in Tenerife, hoping for a fresh start. This marked the beginning of a regularisation process for migrants, a chance Ana María had yearned for after three years in Spain. She shared her ambition of establishing a small Peruvian eatery. Almost four months later, she proudly recalls her words from that day while running her new restaurant, Huarique Peruano, in La Cuesta.
Thanks to her inclusion in the regularisation scheme, Ana María secured formal work authorisation and access to public healthcare. Since the family business opened on 2 August, she has been in the kitchen preparing traditional Peruvian dishes, with Katherine managing customer service and administration. Their offerings, which include traditional drinks and meals, pay homage to the Peruvian concept of “huariques”—small, often humble eateries known for their rich flavours.
Before launching the restaurant, Ana María had been making dishes at home every Saturday, distributing them among friends and expatriates. After receiving requests for a bar, she and her husband seized the opportunity when they found a suitable premises. Despite their fears, they turned what was previously just a dream into reality.
Ana María describes the challenges of her previous undocumented life in Spain, where she faced discrimination and precarious work. She recalls moments of hardship, including a traumatic experience while caring for an elderly person. “Without papers, things are very difficult,” she said. The day of the restaurant’s opening was emotional for her, filled with pride as she reflected on her journey from cooking at home to running a restaurant.
While celebrating their success, Ana María doesn’t forget those still struggling. She emphasises the difficulties faced by undocumented migrants, saying, “Without papers, you can’t get work. People treat you differently.” She calls for empathy towards migrants, stressing that anyone can find themselves in such circumstances.
Both Ana María and Katherine understand the hard work ahead. They arrive at the restaurant by six in the morning and often leave around ten at night. The effort they have put in showcases their commitment to turning their dream into a thriving business.
The regularisation process has seen positive results in the Canary Islands, with 11,329 new employment registrations following the initiative. Nationwide, there have been a total of 262,474 new registrations, with nearly a third of those in the Canary Islands already in work.
