REGINA velasco GOMEZ
OWNER, TAMALES MADRE
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Regina Velasco is the brilliant woman behind Tamales Madre. She started the business two years ago, motivated by a love for "maíz" culture and a conviction that tamales, a pre-Hispanic dish that offers more varieties than any other dish in Mexican gastronomy, deserved more attention. As a guest in her kitchen you will get a taste of the passion behind this small business.
During our experience at Tamales Madre, learn how tamales are made from scratch using different varieties of maíz through the process of "nixtamal" with a spread of rich and native ingredients. All, we might add, while sitting in a kitchen that feels like your own, tasting a fresh savory tamal, sipping on a glass of "Lägermaiz" (artisanal maiz beer), and surrounded by good people and good conversation.
Follow Tamales Madre here.
“[The most rewarding part about owning your own business] is being passionate about your work, knowing that whether you succeed or fail, time is being well spent”
1. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE TAMALES MADRE? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE THE CHANGE?
I was working as a consultant with government and developers planning public spaces. I got frustrated with the results of the work because they were many factors that were out of my hands. It also got complicated to manage that kind of work with newborn twins. Becoming a "hobby-preneur" was a much better idea.
4. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
I wake up, feed my baby, get my other two to school and head to TM. I spend the morning there. My favorite days is when Ruben, Brenda and I get to try new recipes. We brainstorm around seasonal ingredients, personal experiences, and/or some unknown tamal recipe that we want to explore. When I am there I also get to talk to the customers which I love; not only do I get immediate responses from their dishes but they usually feel very comfortable asking about the process or telling us some personal story around tamales. Other days I have to make calls regarding our suppliers, special events, etc. I spend the afternoon home and sometimes head back to the shop for special events or classes.
3. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO CREATE A SPACE DEDICATED SOLELY TO TAMALES? WHY DO YOU BELIEVE A PLACE LIKE TAMALES MADRE IS SO IMPORTANT IN MEXICO CITY?
Tamales are one of the most sophisticated varied dishes in Mexican gastronomy. However, different from tacos that are all over the place, "tamal culture" is almost strictly limited to the streets and not that popular anymore. Unfortunately, the variety and quality of tamales you get in the streets doesn’t compare to what is really out there. Tamales also have a bad rep for being heavy and not very healthy (street tamales have a very large quatity of lard); it is one of the reasons why many people, specially in the city, have decided to cut them out of their daily diet. Tamales Madre cooks a variety of healthy well balanced tamales with all the richeness of flavour that traditional tamales have. We strive to bring tamal culture back!
2 . WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Having the privilege to take the business where you want it to go. Being passionate about your job and knowing that whether you succeed or fail, time is being well spent and you are giving it your all.
6. WHERE IS A DREAM DESTINATION FOR YOU? IF YOU COULD GO TOMORROW, WHO WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?
Faroe Islands with my husband and kids!
5. IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU COULD GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Focus yourself and trust your gut.