By Reynaldo Mena
Armando tito tam presence commands attention, a figure that exudes intimidation. I see him through the camera, resembling a Latino incarnation of Bruce Lee, his corpulent physique a testament to power. His countenance, marked by an unwavering seriousness, holds an impenetrable mask.
“Hello Reynaldo, I’m Armando,” his words pierce the air, warm and welcoming. In that instant, his voice disarms me, and his very being leaves an indelible mark on my psyche. His story, a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, stirs a whirlwind of emotions within me.
The saga of Armando “Tito” Tam’s lineage is a symphony of courage against the backdrop of global upheaval. In the midst of World War II and the tumultuous civil war, his grandparents fled China, seeking refuge far from home. As I delve into conversation with him, I find that connecting with Armando “Tito” Tam is nothing short of a universal odyssey. His camaraderie, his audacious humor, and the unswerving pride he holds for his Nicaraguan-Chinese heritage transcends boundaries.
“Do you recall having a Chinese girlfriend?” I pose the question, and his laughter erupts like a cascade of joy. “I went out with a Chinese girl, once. Her parents rejected me after spitting rice on her dad during a meal, the white rice was so hot I couldn’t hold it in,” he chuckles. The memory, as comical as it is, stands as a testament to Tito’s candor.
A reverence for his parents emanates from him, his voice tender as he utters, “Mami, Papi.” This family bond, unyielding as the rock beneath his heritage, fuels his pursuit of success.” My grandparents are hard workers, they established one of the Chinese restaurants in Nicaragua.” he proclaims.
When he speaks of dancing, a kaleidoscope of images unfolds, showcasing his prowess on the dance floor. “My mother taught me the art of dance; it’s a language of translation of music thru body movements that connects happiness or lift during challenging moments,” Armando tito tam voice brims with confidence. With each step, he navigates the floor, a maestro of rhythm, a beacon of confidence.
The tapestry of his life weaves together more than dance alone. From a dance instructor to event organizer, Armando Tito’s Tam orchestrated a crescendo of success. Yet, dance remains but a thread in the rich tapestry of Nicaraguan culture, an expression of their boundless vitality.
Many people criticize the current regime in Nicaragua, Tito has a different option. In some ways, I can see how his admiration for Anthony Bourdain rubs off, when he travels to Nicaragua he roams the streets in search of the best flavors. “I like to ask the cooks questions and spend quality one on one time with them and have them share their passions and recipes with me,” he says.
“My grandfather’s restaurant, Chop Suey, still exists as a proud legacy he carries. Now, I am setting up my own project, Barrio Chino, with the ambition to launch it nationally. Armando tito Tam ambition is a force as potent as the heritage that courses through his veins.”
Amid the turmoil of life, He experiences nostalgia and spirituality every month when he goes to the Chinese cemetery. Sitting in front of his ancestors’ graves and asking them for advice.
Life’s tumult led him to martial arts, a vessel through which he channeled his anger. “Karate taught me how to defend myself, sculpted my discipline, I had a time when I was angry, this discipline took the anger away from him he reveals.” His journey toward spiritual growth has been ongoing, “I have a religious ritual, every morning I get up, make my coffee and thank God.” From this daily ritual, one of his business brands “Bendecido” was birth.
In a brush with mortality, cancer beckoned Armando Tito Tam to a crossroads. “I was resurrected. This moment was a turning point in my life; God told me, ‘change your life or say goodbye.’ It was a very difficult moment. My parents took me to the hospital, and felt at the time, that my parents were being insensitive to what I was going through, I suffered a lot, they revealed to me years later that they cried throughout the operation.”
Since then, Armando Tito Tam says, he appreciates life more. He leads a healthier lifestyle, and has learned from two important women in his life, his grandmother and his mother.
“I don’t judge, I understand problems and that makes me a better person. Yes, I get rid of harmful people in my life and I choose who I let in carefully. I look for people with wisdom and experience to learn from them. I had the advantage of having two perfect parents. They taught me humility. You make your own history,” he says.
His leadership style is one of immersion, delving into every facet of his business. “I’m all hands on with my business. I work in the kitchen, in other departments. I treat others fairly and understand them because I’ve done what they do.” Tito adds.
“Invent to solve” stands as one of his guiding principles.
He expresses his affection through the art of culinary tales, immersing himself in the kitchen’s embrace to communicate his heart’s passion.
“Visiting Miami, I encountered a Colombian entrepreneur excelling in selling hotdog – an encounter that truly moves me,” he explains.
“My perception of Tito is that of a man who boards a plane looking intimidating, but when you are next to him, he probably taps you on the side, tells you he loves you, and leaves you with a smile.”
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