I “sat down” (aka emailed) with IFBC19 speaker and alumna Yvette Marquez from Muy Bueno Cookbook. While you might know her from IFBC19 in Juneau, AK, which she described as “super dreamy!”, you might have also seen her on the Food Network, NBC, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Taste of Home, or The Huffington Post.

She was top on my list to interview as she is an El Pasoan, born and raised. El Paso is a fantastic city. It is now known as “a city reborn,” because it takes old tradition and mixes in modern amenities. El Paso is a zestful melting pot of culture that dates back hundreds of years. The “Sun City” has a way of life and community like no other because it is set amid Mexico and the Southwest. Take everything you love about Texas and combine it with the unique culture and food of Mexico. Yvette described the people as “very friendly, very laid back, and the folks are proud of their home, culture, and cuisine.”

Yvette started her blog in 2010 around this very premise, home, culture, and cuisine. She explained, “I started my blog to preserve my family’s Mexican recipes and to journal the writing of a cookbook.” She shows off these recipes not only through her blog and excellent photography but through video. I’m mean, she has even won an Emmy for one of her videos! Check out this one here about the Ysleta Mission History and Festival that happens right in El Paso. In 2019, Yvette spoke on our experts’ panel and had a breakout session about video, she emphasized, “I loved it all!”