In the midst of the pandemic in 2021, I had a spark of inspiration that led me to pitch an idea for a museum exhibit focused on Mexican women’s food stories. When I shared it with a colleague at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes—a museum in downtown Los Angeles dedicated to celebrating the Mexican and Mexican American community—she immediately connected with the concept. She mentioned that the museum had long envisioned an exhibit centered on Abuelas, and just like that, "Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories" was born.

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.​By 2022, with the support of a grant from California Humanities, I set out to create an exhibit that would capture the rich, varied food traditions of Mexican and Mexican American grandmothers. I embarked on a journey to find L.A.-based grandmothers whose stories would reflect a wide range of experiences—recent migrants, second and third-generation Mexican Americans, Afro Mexicans, and Indigenous Mexican women, all representing different ages, occupations, social classes, and regions of Mexico. My goal was to showcase the diversity of Mexico’s regional cuisines through the voices of the women who have preserved these traditions for generations. 

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To bring these stories to life, I envisioned capturing them on film, adding a personal and intimate dimension to the exhibit. I reached out to Ebony Bailey, a talented documentary filmmaker and former student, who was living in Mexico City at the time. I convinced her to join the project, and she came to Los Angeles for a month to direct the film. What began as a simple idea for an exhibit quickly evolved into a documentary film project—one that would become "Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories."

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This project is a heartfelt tribute to the grandmothers who have carried the rich culinary traditions of Mexico across borders and generations. It’s a celebration of their resilience, their stories, and the complex, flavorful foods that connect their grandchildren to their heritage. "Abuelita’s Kitchen" is more than just an exhibit or a film; it’s a living testament to the power of food in bringing people together, preserving culture, and honoring the women who have kept these traditions alive.

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"Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories" beautifully captures the food-centered narratives of ten abuelas, each representing the rich diversity within the Mexican community—indigenous, mestiza, Afro-Mexican, and Mexican-American. These women have preserved and adapted Mexican culinary traditions within the vibrant mosaic of Los Angeles. Through their eloquent storytelling, each grandmother reveals her profound connection to Mexican cuisine, sharing the intimate details of her migration journey, the sacrifices made along the way, and the pivotal role food plays in expressing love and maintaining familial bonds.

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One particularly compelling story is that of Merced Sanchez, a street vendor who not only preserved her culinary heritage but also became a champion for the legalization of street vending in Los Angeles. Her story, like the others, showcases the abuelas' resilience, their enduring influence on their communities, and the legacy they are passing on to their grandchildren.

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​The film is a heartfelt tribute to these remarkable women, illuminating their vital role in keeping Mexican culture alive and thriving in the heart of Los Angeles.