“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the one who’ll decide where to go.” – Dr. Seuss

“There is a good reason they call these ceremonies “commencement exercises.”  Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.”  – Orrin Hatch

“The fireworks begin today.  Each diploma is a lighted match.  Each one of you is a fuse.”  – Edward Koch

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” – Aristotle

“I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.” – Author Unknown

We roasted two pigs outside, it took all day to cook! They were made like traditional taco truck style – very delicious. Everyone was standing with a taco in their hand, dancing, listening to music and having drinks. Margarita’s and tequila shots were the most popular drink of the night. The atmosphere made you feel as if you were back home in Mexico! I hope next year is just as successful.

A Mother’s Day Poem

Not only are you my Mom but my best friend.
Through the good and the bad I know you’ll always be there.
To hold me when I’m cold and catch me when I fall.
I know you’ll be there even when your gone.
I pray to God to see my favorite girl grow old.
And care for her like she did from the moment I was born.

- Karla

]]> http://www.zocalosacramento.com/2012/05/10/a-mothers-day-poem-by-karla/feed/ 0 http://www.zocalosacramento.com/2012/05/07/zocalo-line-cooking-bakery-dreams-by-tiffany/ http://www.zocalosacramento.com/2012/05/07/zocalo-line-cooking-bakery-dreams-by-tiffany/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 22:06:58 +0000 Zocalo http://www.zocalosacramento.com/?p=3567 Carrot Cake

Lemon Meringue

Madd Hatter Cake

Pirate Ship Cake

I’m Tiffany, and I’m Zocalo’s newest line cook! I started April 9th and have been having a great time so far. Before coming to Zocalo I was a culinary specialist at Mulvaney’s for 9 months. Currently, Zocalo is teaching me the menu’s so that when the new location opens, I can move over there. The majority of my job consists of doing prep work and dessert items. My favorite dessert item is the tres leche cake – we are bringing that popular item back to the dessert menu!

My passion is desserts! I spent two years at Columbia College were I was trained as a pastry chef and line cook. During college I ran the college bakery where I gained the majority of my professional baking experience. I would bake cookies, french breads, stuffed bread, cinnamon  rolls, turn overs, cupcakes and specialty birthday cakes. I made 985 cookies per day! My favorite cake is rum cake with strawberry mouse and salted caramel butter cream frosting – amazing! I made this type of cake, created as a pirate ship – it was the most difficult cake I’ve ever made because of its structural elements with different layers.

Truth be told, as long as I’m baking I’m happy! I don’t really have a favorite pastry – as long as there is sugar involved, I’m great! As for my aspirations, I hope to be an asset to Zocalo’s culinary team. Furthermore, I dream of the day I can open my own bakery/pub – split in half by a wall, one side would be a bakery and the other side would be a pub.

If anyone is talking about tequila at Zocalo, it is usually always me! I’m Nikki, and I’ve been a server at Zocalo for about a year. I’ve been in the industry for 6 years, and have two B.A.’s from California State University Fullerton – for Psychology and Women’s Studies. I consider myself a career server and the majority of my shifts are at night.

I love tequila, so if you are into tequila as much as I am then I recommend asking for me to be your server the next time you visit Zocalo! I can help you have a wonderful tequila experience. Two of my favorite tequila’s are Siete Leguas and Fortaleza, both originated in Jalisco. Also, they are both old school style milling tequilas. This means that they haven’t changed the way they distill their tequila’s since they were founded.
Fortaleza was formerly Los Abuelos (meaning the grandparents). I like to sell that one because it is really smooth.
Siete Leguas is easy to sell because of the story behind it – it is Patron before it was Patron. Paul Mitchell bought the recipe from the original family and that family was doing the distillation for them for a while. Since Patron is massively produced, it is not made the same way as Siete Leguas anymore. Siete is cheaper, smoother, and its more carefully distilled then Patron, therefore making Siete the better choice (in my opinion at least!).

Tequila Fest is happening this Thursday, the 3rd at Zocalo! From 6-9pm we will be featuring 6 tequila distilleries. If you want to talk tequila, come by and say hello at the Tequila Fest! I hope to see you there.

Cheers!

My name is Ivan, and I’d like to share my experience with our recent Mexicali fundraiser and my appreciation for the friendships I have gained by working at Zocalo. First, a huge “thank you” to all of my mangers for giving me the opportunity to work here. I love working here and it’s such a nice place to work. Everyone that works here is very friendly and I want to say thank you to all of my coworkers, whom I’m lucky to also call my friends. It is rare to come across a workplace such as the one at Zocalo.

Second, I have to express my appreciate for Zocalo’s involvement in our recent Mexicali fundraising event. Mexicali is my hometown and I understand the urgent need for fundraisers like the build-a-home project. Without people like Chef Ryan and establishments like Zocalo who speak up and help raise awareness and funds, the Mexicali build-a-home project wouldn’t be as successful as it is each year.

I very much enjoyed working the Mexicali Fundraiser dinner event at Zocalo. I thank Chef Ryan for supporting Mexicali! The event was great- I was serving delicious dishes and interacting with the guests. I loved the presentation of all of the food and everyone was smiling creating a positive environment. Bayside Church showed us a lot of support as well. This year we raised about double the amount that we did last year! I will always carry this experience with me – it is very special to me and my hometown.

Mandeep D. of Milpitas Yelped, “The food is delish! I love coming here for brunch on the weekends, they even have a live band sometimes. The food always comes with complimentary chips and dip (salsa and some bean dip). The drinks are pretty yummy too — blackberry margie — don’t mind if I do!”

Thank you for the fantastic Yelp review Mandeep! – Zocalo Staff

My name is Wolfred, and I’m a Busser at Zocalo. On Easter, instead of being Wolfred I dressed up as the Easter Bunny for Zocalo’s brunch. My photo is above, do you recognize me? The costume was very hot – but the hottest part was the head of the costume. I had to take breaks to refresh myself because my head would start overheating!

However, the heat was worth it! I had so much fun seeing how excited the kids were. They were excited to see me (The Easter Bunny). I had a blast just hopping around the restaurant all day, playing with the kids and taking pictures. The kids weren’t the only ones wanting to photos with me, the adults were lining up too!

Everyone was in a good mood, happy and enjoying themselves. I felt so loved that day and will volunteer to do it again next year. The best thing was that I didn’t have to do my actual job – my only job was to be the Easter Bunny! I celebrated Easter by being dressed up, having fun and eating a delicious lunch here at Zocalo with coworkers. I would have to say that so far, Easter has been my most favorite time working at Zocalo.

Name: Karla
Position: Hostess
Hometown: Sacramento, CA

1. Industry Experience:
First job was at El Patron, as a hostess and then moved up to a server. After that I was in Reno and worked at a Greek restaurant as a cashier and food runner.  Then I worked at Celia’s where I did hosting, serving and cocktail, after I turned 21 I worked a little bit in the bar.  Now I’m here at Zocalo, starting as a hostesses and hopefully working toward serving.

2. Why did you join the Zocalo family?
I love Zocalo’s ambiance and the way it is put together, it is very attractive- even just driving by you can’t help but stare at it because it’s so beautiful. I instantly knew that Zocalo was where I wanted to work.

3. Favorite food:
Most favorite is Mexican food, second is Greek food, and last would be Chinese food.

4. Favorite drink:
Favorite drink is Shirley Temples by far! Favorite alcoholic beverage is the Mango Mojito.

5. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to do hair and makeup- I’ve done weddings and things like that and plan to go to Beauty College sometime soon. I also enjoy drawing and photography.

6. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Even as a little girl, I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. I love Greek mythology and find their culture to be interesting.

7. What can you not live without?
I can’t think of anything that I wouldn’t be able to live without!

8. Hobbies that you love:
Hair, makeup, drawing, photography, hiking, and other fun outdoor activities.

9. Most memorable past time:
My Brother in-law has passed away before my 21st Birthday, before he had passed away he had always told me that for my 21st Birthday he would get me Mariachis. My 21st Birthday came, and my Sister ended up getting me Mariachis. I’ll never forget that.

10. What has been your favorite Zocalo moment so far?
When I decorated the Pila at the front entrance for Valentine’s Day and other events- it’s fun! I also like going out with my coworkers and getting to know them outside of work.