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ANNOUNCING…
the 2021 Independent Mexican Restaurant Owners of the Year PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Wow — were we ever overwhelmed with the response to our first Jarritos/el Restaurante Independent Mexican Restaurant Owner of the Year Contest honoring independent Mexican restaurant owners nationwide. We received nearly 700 nominations! It was difficult choosing the winners, but in the end the three restaurant owners profiled below topped the rest. They were chosen by a panel of four judges: Lilly Rocha, CEO of the Latino Restaurant Association; Eric Delamare, director of marketing, Novamex; Kathleen Furore, editor of el Restaurante; and Ed Avis, publisher of el Restaurante.
! FIRST PLACE: Delilah Snell, Alta Baja Market, Santa Ana, California Each successful independent restaurant owner is unique, with his or her own style, passions and hopes. But many of them have these qualities in common: They are creative in the kitchen, they build relationships with their employees, and they sincerely engage with the community. Delilah Snell, owner of Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana, California, exhibits these qualities quite clearly.
“Delilah is a true Orange County gem,” wrote customer Kelly Kraus-Lee in her nomination of Snell. “Her cafe … is a community gathering place. Her spot, Alta Baja, is a cultural hub for Latin foods and culture.” Snell opened Alta Baja — both a restaurant and a retail market — in 2016 with the idea of celebrat-
ing the food and culture of Mexico, California and the American Southwest. She gives life to that idea by creating a menu inspired by the cuisine of those regions, but with her own creative spin. And everything incorporates ingredients from small, authentic providers. Popular dishes include Blue Corn Chile-Cheese Cakes,
Nathalie’s Chilaquiles, and The Lady Sees Green Chile Enchilada — all combining fresh, traditional ingredients with the creativity of Snell and her cooking staff. Her beverage menu highlights Hispanic culture: She works with three importers to bring in 50 wines from Valle de Guadalupe, and her michelada list extends far beyond the
“Alta Baja is more than a cafe/market…It’s a gathering place for local non-profits, community leaders, and artists to host educational activities, book readings, lectures and so much more. [Snell] is a pillar for the city of Santa Ana.” –ALTA BAJA CUSTOMER CYNTHIA REBOLLEDO
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