On our trip around the sun we happen to meet some of the most outstanding people and cherish them for a lifetime. I have met a lot of people like this, so many its hard to mention them all at one time. But there is one that I would love to tell you about, and her name is Marcela Valladolid. I can remember the first day I met her and "I was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rockers" to even walk up to her. Most people wouldn't think I get star struck or even nervous, but Honey I do. I had watched this great role model, happy, outgoing, funny, pretty lady on Food Network so long making and talking about her heritage and her food. I always looked up to her, even tho she is shorter than me....I still look up to her. Let me explain why I look up to her so much. She is just like me, (no I am not Mexican) but we are the same, she had a dream and was a minority in the food world and yet made her way to the top. I am just a country boy from the great state of Kentucky with a dream, and both of use worked tirelessly to make our dreams come true. After all the hard work we are both living our dreams. Now back to "Tators Met Tacos". Sorry I got side tracked, as most us southerners do...LOL. When I walked in to my dressing room on the set of "Best Baker in America" I could hear that most joyous voice and laughter in the room next to mine, and I thought "Oh Dear Sweet Baby Jesus" that's her, The great Marcela!!!! So I put on my big boy draws and just walked over to her room, knocked on the door and this is what I hear. "Hey Hun come on in" and I hugged her (as all southerners do, thats just the way we are raised) and introduced myself, and we talked and it was like we had known each other all our lives. Marcela is so down to earth and sweet. She said some stuff to me in Spanish and I'm like "Lord Honey" do I need an antibiotic for that??? She laughed and I laughed and she said , "Ok I see I'm gonna have to teach you Spanish". I'm like yes, yes you are. So we work on it all the time. Marcela is truly my long lost sista. Now most of y'all know with this country slang of mine, Spanish don't just roll of my tongue and sounds funny, but I will get it one day. That's how "Tators Met Tacos".
Please check out Marcela's blog www.chefmarcela.com . She has great stories and recipes there I think you will really like. My Hermana (sister) for ever. I am so gracious and humbled to be called a part of her family.
