Chef Marcela Valladolid Brings Mexican Food Pride to New Bilingual Kids Cookbook

In this Women’s History Month Q&A Series we present you with Marcela Valladolid, author of “Cocinando on Cook Street,” an illustrated and bilingual cookbook of her family’s favorite recipes. Born in San Diego but raised in Tijuana with a traditional Mexican upbringing, growing up on the U.S. Mexican border had its unique circumstances for Marcela. “Growing up was literally divided between two countries, two cuisines and two languages!” 

The Mexican-American Chef and teacher now brings her traditional food to audiences internationally. Let’s find out more about her. 

How have your different projects helped find inclusion for the Latino community?

My goal has always been to show the beauty of the Mexico that I grew up with and that reality has very little in common with the stereotypical images usually associated with Mexico. And I think that’s what people connect to the most. That I work really hard to bring an accurate representation of what we really bring to this culture. From food to decor and even fashion, there’s so much more than what most people on the US side think about when they think of Mexico!

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What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned and can share with younger Latinas?

That we need to change this narrative that being a Latina is a disadvantage because it is our super power. And the only way to step into that power is to truly understand our culture, who we are and where we come from because there must be pride before there is power. 

How have you seen diversity and representation of Latinas in your industry changed over the years?

I have but there’s so much more work to be done. People ask me all the time if it was hard for me to establish myself but I always say that truthfully there was just so little competition. I had very few people that looked like me on TV, cooked my food and spoke like me and navigated these two cultures seamlessly so it felt almost easy. I didn’t see a challenge. I saw a white space that needed to be filled. 

What makes you passionate about your work? 

That I get to share the gorgeous Mexico I grew up with. That I am blessed with a platform that has become a safe place for women like me to express the realities of being a Mexican American in the US today. That this is now a strong community with the same set of beliefs and ideals and tremendous love for our culture and roots. 

I am constantly asked for permission to partake in our celebrations and I am constantly reminding people that there is no gate keeper. No one can give you permission to own something that is already yours. Just because you didn’t grow up in Mexico it doesn’t make you less deserving of all the gifts, richness, traditions, celebrations and general MAGIC that comes from, what to me is, the most beautiful country on earth. 

Future goals/projects that we can stay tuned for?

A housewares line! A tabletop line made in Mexico exclusively for Casa Marcela! More artisanal pieces curated and or designed by me. A cookbook with all

Of the recipes from my online cooking classes, which will have been attended by close to 60 thousand people by the time I turn in the manuscript in a couple months! Very excited to be adding branded merch like hoodies and sets to the online shop as well!!

What makes you most proud of being a Latina in the culinary industry?

That I get to do what I love with pride and inspire other women to also step into that pride. To push for their kids speaking maybe a little more Spanish! To cook abuelas recipes and put them in that lunch box! To rock a hipil with heels. 

Follow along Marcela’s journey on social media and check back with us for another Q&A.