When I moved to San Luis Obispo County in the early 2000s, I brought with me a rich culinary heritage from Guanajuato, Mexico. My journey, which included stops in Los Osos and Bakersfield before returning to Mexico, ultimately led me back to San Luis Obispo County to raise my children. It was here, amidst the beautiful landscapes of Los Osos and Morro Bay, that I felt a strong desire to preserve and share the traditional Mexican recipes I grew up with.
My initial foray into sharing my culture began with a lifestyle blog in 2009, focusing on motherhood and raising children. Recognizing the importance of passing down my family’s culinary traditions, I started incorporating bilingual recipes into my blog. This allowed both English and Spanish speakers, including my own family in Mexico, to access and enjoy these authentic dishes. The positive response was overwhelming, with many readers expressing gratitude for the opportunity to recreate dishes they remembered from their childhoods in Mexico.
A surprising turn of events came in the form of a direct message from a television casting company. They invited me to participate in a cooking competition show, a chance to showcase my family’s recipes and introduce lesser-known Mexican dishes to a wider audience. This opportunity aligned perfectly with my passion for food and my desire to expand my career. While stepping outside my comfort zone, the experience allowed me to share 18 unique dishes over seven episodes and a finale.
One of the most memorable challenges involved creating a dish that blended my Mexican heritage with the culinary influences of San Luis Obispo County. My creation, tri-tip tacos with avocado salsa verde, perfectly captured this fusion. The tri-tip, a staple of the Central Coast, represented my new home, while the tacos embodied my Mexican roots. Other featured dishes included comforting classics like torta de milanesa and sopa tarasca, a flavorful bean soup with tomatoes, crunchy tortillas, cheese, and ancho chile. Each dish told a story, connecting my past with my present in San Luis Obispo County. Through this journey, I’ve not only preserved my family’s culinary legacy but also shared the vibrant flavors of Mexico with the community I now call home.
