by Avila Lowrance

Heréndida Sosa came with her family to Grass Valley 7 years ago from the town of Cuilápam, state of Oaxaca, Mexico. She did not speak a word of English when she arrived, but went to work almost immediately as a kitchen aide in a retirement home here in Grass Valley and at the same time, began studying English through the Literacy Council. Her English improved on the job and through her own determined study. I met with her every week at the Grass Valley Library until she became pregnant with her third child. She and I became close friends, and I now consider her large family, both here and in Oaxaca, to be my second family. Boy, did I win out!

After her baby was born, Heréndida went to work at the Tortilla Grill in Grass Valley where her mother-in-law, Felicitas Cruz, was the manager. Both Felicitas and Heréndida are excellent cooks, specializing in delicious food from Oaxaca. Felicitas comes from a long line of accomplished cooks, and she is seeing to it that Heréndida learns all of the family recipes and secrets. When Tortilla Grill closed due to the financial problems of the owner, Felicitas and Heréndida decided to start their own catering business. They asked me if my family would like to join theirs in setting up “Tortilla Grill Oaxaca”, and we have happily agreed.

Felicitas and Heréndida held a cooking class at Tess’ Kitchen Store on May 3 of this year which was enthusiastically received by Tess’ new owner, Steve, as well as the participants. Everyone went home with a plateful of mouth-watering Oaxacan food and praise for the class. Tess’ Kitchen Store will be hosting more of these classes with Heréndida and Felicitas in the future. You can ask to be put on Tess’ email list to be notified of future classes.

On June 11, this talented team of cooks will be the guest chefs at Summer Thymes, where the evening will be called “Paradise in Oaxaca” and where some of their signature dishes will be featured.

They have located a Health Department approved kitchen for their catering business and we are busy getting all of the documents necessary for them to run their new business.

Tortilla Grill Oaxaca will take orders for tamales, moles, enchiladas, flan, and any other Oaxacan specialties, as well as standard Mexican dishes, and will cater parties and get-togethers of any size. You can contact me with any questions or to place orders.

In case you were wondering, Heréndida’s English is now good, and continues to get better all the time.

Stay tuned!

Avila

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