Buen Provecho: A Mexican Chef’s Story

If you’ve ever wandered through public television channels and found some of the most renowned chefs in the world, you may have seen Mexican Chef, Pati Jinich. Her show, Pati’s Mexican Table, is a journey throughout all of Mexico exploring regional delicacies and cuisines each episode. In each of her episodes she focuses on local ingredients and connects with local food experts or chefs. Her love for food connects people from all walks of life and highlights the wealth of diversity throughout the country. At the end of each episode, she prepares dishes she has learned about in her travels, most times with a reimagined twist. 

Pati was born in Mexico City to a Jewish Mexican family that had emigrated as Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe. Her academic studies at the prestigious Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) led her to the United States to pursue her lifelong dream of a Washingtonian career as a political analyst. Upon her arrival into the United States, Pati lived in Dallas, Texas, and it was there that she began cooking Mexican food to connect with her home of Mexico. She worked at a public TV station assisting with a Mexican Revolution documentary and as a production assistant for a culinary show. 

After relocating to Washington DC for her “dream job” she began realizing her true calling was food. Pati took the leap of faith and joined the L’Academie de Cuisine, and shortly after became the Resident Chef at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington D.C. A few years later Pati’s show premiered and has gained a huge following. She’s become a 3x recipient of the James Beard Award, has received multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations, and has written three top-rated cookbooks. ¡Que inspiradora!

Here is an example of one of her inspired recipes from traveling to the Yucatán Peninsula, Poc Chuc, by our very own Na’atik Spanish teacher and native to Carrillo, Osmar. 

Learn more about Pati’s recipes and achievements through her website, patijinich.com. 

Want to check out some local recipes from Na’atik’s Carrillo Puerto family? Look through our blog for some authentic tasty dishes that will impress your family and friends!