Golly but I love some time off! Last week I flew to Mexico City and then headed straight to my friend's place in Hidalgo (it's a little shack that used to be a working hacienda!) and spent the weekend with some incredible chefs from the Yucatan, along with some of the bright culinary lights from Mexico City. Then on to the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosi where I met the cooperative that makes evaporated cane juice (it would be called sugar if it were more processed) and then to the Sierra Gorda to see some of missions founded by Father Junipero Serra, known by all Californians as the founder of our own mission system and El Camino Real.

I'll have details and stories soon! I'm not really happy to be back but it's kind of hard to feel sorry for me after such a nice week!