“Those of us that were raised in Tijuana have so much access to San Diego. I was crossing the border every day when I was a kid, and that back and forth has a huge influence on the cuisine. So the U.S. is coming down to Tijuana, Tijuana is going to San Diego. There's this great blending, a great exchange.”

American chef and author

Marcela Luz Valladolid is an American chef and author. She became known as the host of the Food Network television series Mexican Made Easy and as a judge on Best Baker in America. Her work has centered on food and cooking on television, especially Mexican cuisine. Through her books and broadcast appearances, she has built a profile around approachable cooking and the flavors of Mexican home-style dishes.