The ‘Curvy Queen’ of Venezuelan Cuisine

La Reina Pepiada, Venezuela's beloved "curvy queen," is a signature arepa dish featuring a creamy chicken salad inside a crispy cornmeal pancake. This popular handheld meal is found in every arepera in Venezuela and has become a staple even in Venezuelan communities abroad. The arepa itself, an ancient indigenous food, has been a central part of Venezuelan and Colombian diets for millennia. The modern Venezuelan arepa is a thick, stuffed patty that serves as a complete meal, with many Venezuelans consuming two daily before economic hardship. La Reina Pepiada originated in the 1950s, named after Susana Duijm, the first Latin American to win Miss World. The widespread availability of processed corn flour, introduced in 1960, significantly simplified arepa preparation for households and restaurants. This convenient flour reduced labor, making arepas more accessible and contributing to the dish's enduring popularity. The filling, typically shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and avocado, is celebrated for its satisfying texture and flavor profile. Venezuelan diaspora communities often use the arepa as a source of comfort and income, adapting it to local tastes while sharing their culture. The creation of a crispy arepa with a soft interior is crucial, and the filling can be customized with various ingredients like cilantro or peppers.