Chef Diana Kennedy in Seminole Heights

Seminole Heights will find itself briefly in the culinary spotlight when Diana Kennedy, noted chef specializing in Mexican cuisine, comes to our very own El Taconazo (the Taco Bus) to teach cooking lessons. Chef Rene Valenzuela, owner of El Taconazo, will host Diana on Friday February 13th at his restaurant for a book signing and lessons.

Diana Kennedy is a highly respected chef and author. Among many awards, she has earned the Order of the Aztec Eagle by the Mexican government, a Member of the British Empire by the British government for furthering cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Mexico, and the Life Achievement Award from the International Association of Cooking Professionals.

Diana has currently published the following books:

• The Cuisines of Mexico
• The Tortilla Book
• Mexican Regional Cooking (1985)
• The Art of Mexican Cooking (1989)
• My Mexico (1998)
• The Essential Cuisines of Mexico (compilation from Kennedy's first three books, plus 30 new recipes) (2000)
• From My Kitchen, Techniques and Ingredients (2003)

Her schedule, while here in Tampa is:

Thursday Feb 12th 6:00 PM cooking class at The Rolling Pin in Brandon
Friday Feb 13th 2:00 book signing at Barnes and Noble South Dale Mabry
Friday Feb 13th 5:30 book signing at El Taconazo.
Friday Feb 13th 6:30 cooking class and book signing at El Taconazo.
Saturday Feb 14th 2:00 PM book signing and food sampling at Inkwood Books Tampa

The class will be around 2-3 hours. She normally cooks 3 or 4 dishes, usually a difficult dish like a mole or adobo, and a few simpler ones. What she cooks will depend greatly on what she finds fresh in our local markets. The lessons are $75 per person at either location. If you are interested in signing up for the lessons, please send an email to DianaKennedyTampa@me.com.