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The backstory: If you've visited Olvera Street
you may have noticed a stuffed donkey stand near the entrance
the family that operates the attraction was issued an eviction notice because of a contract issue after a death in the family
a judge ruled ruled in their favor and they were able to beat the city on the eviction notice
the fight to save the famed donkey continues; the Hernandez family is preparing for a week-long jury trial that begins on April 28
The eviction allegedly stemmed from a contract issue
No one else in the family was listed on the paperwork before Maria Trancito “Tancho” Hernandez passed away
an expiration date was set on the contract
Locals consider the photo op with the stuffed donkey one of Los Angeles' many historic landmarks
Supporters are not ready to let the donkey and its memories go easily
the community has shown up to support the family as they attempt to find a solution to what they feel is an unfair attempt at removing them from the area
the family said that the City has refused to provide witnesses for deposition
claiming that they did not represent the Commissioners who run the El Pueblo Monument
This caused the court to rule in favor of the Hernandez family
he expressed his disbelief over the reasoning behind the city's intent to remove the iconic family-owned business from the area
“I have to spend time defending a stuffed donkey rather than continuing to fight back the homelessness crisis,” he said
“But the City is just being ridiculous here
I have pictures of my children on that donkey
and I plan to one day have those same pictures of my grandchildren.”
and actors are among those who have taken photos with Jorge
have had their photos taken here when they were children
returning years later to take a picture with their kids
and I find the waste of resources by the City here unacceptable,” said Bramzon
“Does Hydee Feldstein Soto plan on a reelection campaign based on some sort of anti-donkey platform
that celebrates and represents Mexican-American culture in Los Angeles
the family feels good about the progress they are seeing and refuses to back down
said the ongoing battle goes beyond their business
“We believe this case highlights broader issues of cultural preservation
and misplaced priorities within our city leadership,” she said
Enrique Olvera doesn’t talk about growth the way most chefs do
He doesn’t use words like “portfolio,” “rollout,” or “expansion strategy.” Instead
he reaches for a metaphor from agriculture—specifically
the traditional Mexican system of growing corn alongside other complementary crops
but as a collection of site-specific expressions—each one rooted in place
and reflective of Mexico’s rich culinary heritage
“We don’t want to be a monoculture,” he says
“We want different representations of restaurants in different locations.”
Olvera opened Pujol in Mexico City in 2000
it was a revelation—modern Mexican cooking with fine-dining precision
and a spirit that felt both rooted and revolutionary
That restaurant would become the foundation of Casamata
the hospitality group Olvera quietly built over the following two decades
he resisted the standard path of scaling a concept or duplicating a flagship
each one shaped by its own rhythm and purpose
a Mexico City café offering tortas and seasonal salads
which grew into a multi-location neighborhood staple
with more ambitious restaurants like Cosme and Atla in New York
he’s opened Damian in Los Angeles and Carao in Nayarit
the group includes 14 restaurants—spread across Mexico and the United States—with no two exactly alike
“It was never about creating a group in the traditional sense,” Olvera says
and dishes that speak for themselves,” he says
Whether it’s a fine-dining tasting menu or a casual café
At the heart of it all is a deep respect for the guest experience
“The best restaurants are the ones where you feel great,” he says
“Not necessarily the ones chasing recognition.” That’s not to say the group lacks ambition—Pujol remains one of the most influential restaurants in Latin America—but Olvera’s approach is driven less by prestige than by feeling: How does a dish land
How does a meal make you feel when you leave
That ethos extends to design and ambiance as well
is alignment: to bring the philosophy of the kitchen into every part of the experience
from the food to the chairs to the playlist
While Mexican culinary tradition runs through every restaurant in the group
Olvera is adamant that each location reflect its own context
we work with the seasons and the land where we are,” he explains
that means East Coast seafood and local vegetables
while Damian in Los Angeles draws on the region’s vibrant produce and proximity to the Pacific
Olvera and his team emphasize working with local farmers and purveyors in each city
using regional ingredients to express Mexican technique without forcing replication
“We try to use fish from the Atlantic in New York and fish from the Pacific in California,” he says
“It’s about adapting without losing our identity.”
Olvera says the group had drifted slightly toward a safer
they’re doubling down on site specificity again—returning to the farms
“That’s the focus of the company this year,” he says
“To come back to that idea of anchoring ourselves to place.”
One of the most striking aspects of Olvera’s restaurant group isn’t just the caliber of its food—it’s the legacy of people who’ve come through his kitchens
Many have gone on to open acclaimed restaurants of their own
including Eduardo García of Máximo Bistrot in Mexico City
and a long list of chefs leading projects across Mexico
But Olvera is quick to deflect the idea of ownership over their success
mentorship is less about creating disciples and more about creating conditions for others to grow
That shift in mindset has extended to how the group attracts and retains talent
many young cooks sought out Pujol for the name and résumé boost
Olvera wants people to stay for different reasons: a sense of community
“We’re trying to build a company where people want to stay and grow with us,” he says
Olvera’s restaurants have long emphasized sustainability—not just in sourcing
but in how they relate to producers and manage their operations
“We want to work with farmers in complicity
and building long-term relationships rooted in mutual respect
the group has created a dedicated sustainability coordinator role at Pujol
and the development of circular programs with suppliers
and staff in the kitchen receive bonuses tied to traceability—encouraging transparency and accountability across the supply chain
it’s not just about doing the right thing for the environment,” Olvera says
Olvera is keenly aware of the limits of growth
“I don’t want to become a multinational empire,” he says
“That’s very clear to me.” Instead of chasing scale
he’s focused on deepening what already exists—refining each concept
he remains open to new opportunities—so long as they align with the group’s philosophy
and Mexico City are cities he feels especially connected to
and where future projects are most likely to emerge
“We try to be as selective as possible,” he says
expansion is never just about opening another location
It’s about cultivating something meaningful in a specific place—a restaurant that reflects the land
In an industry often shaped by uniformity and scale
Enrique Olvera’s restaurant group offers a different blueprint—one that grows like a milpa: intentionally
Each restaurant is a reflection of its place
It’s about cultivating meaning—one restaurant
leading him to pursue an education at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York
he returned to his home in Mexico City and opened Pujol
The restaurant quickly gained international recognition for Olvera’s innovative approach to traditional Mexican cuisine
combining ancient techniques with modern gastronomy
Pujol’s expression of modern Mexican fine-dining tasting menus and Olvera's meticulous attention to detail have earned Pujol a place among the world's best restaurants
ranking high consistently on the The World's 50 Best Restaurants list
Pujol holds two Michelin stars and is considered an institution that both inspires and exists within a new and innovative era for Mexican restaurants and cuisine
Olvera’s influence can be felt far from the plate also: with his homeland undergoing hardships and societal struggles over recent decades
Mexican food has been brought out of the shadows to lead a cultural revival
food and gastronomy has become a form of resistance against violence and crime
to forge connections between people and become a positive force in society
Opened in 2000 after Olvera graduated from culinary school
Pujol has since gained legendary status as a standard bearer for modern Mexican gastronomy
An ever present on The Word’s 50 Best Restaurants list
The menu is constantly changing according to the seasons
Olvera makes a point of working with and championing local Mexican producers
One of his famed innovations is Pujol’s omakase taco counter
where guests can observe chefs dedicated to the beloved Mexican tradition and see it elevated to new gastronomic heights
Olvera's influence extends beyond Mexico City and Pujol
He is the creative force behind several other successful ventures
which showcases his flair for combining Mexican flavors with contemporary techniques in a new and exciting ways
One of the most sought-after reservations in New York City
modern atmosphere provides a perfect backdrop for a new
The kitchen team at Cosme features a constant stream of young talent that Olvera mentors to be the next generation to represent Mexican cuisine globally
a tortilleria dedicated to the important Mexican tradition
bring Olvera’s gastronomic excellence to casual mini franchises that are more affordable and accessible in an urban setting
Tradition is the main ingredient in all of Olvera’s cooking
but the chef is no slave to dogma and always innovates
looking for a higher expression of his native culture though food
guests ae invited to engage deeply with the important Mexican tradition
something Olvera also endeavors to preserve at Molino el Pujol
But the real creativity of the chef is seen in Pujol's ever-changing seasonal tasting menu where guests are invited to try traditional dishes elevated to fine-dining status
like scallop ceviche with egg salad or grilled Baja coast rockfish with butternut squash puree and sherry foam
One of Olvera's best known expressions is his Mole Madre
simultaneously simple and delicious yet incredibly complex
The dish is plated with a central ring of mole
perfectly encapsulating Olvera's passion for combining the ancient with the fresh and new
Olvera has authored several cookbooks such as the hugely popular Tu Casa Mi Casa: Mexican Recipes for the Home Cook and appeared on various television shows including Chef’s Table and MasterChef
His dedication to celebrating and elevating Mexican cuisine continues to inspire chefs and food enthusiasts around the world
Olvera has made a huge contribution to shaping the landscape of modern Mexican gastronomy
Three city council seats are on the Fair Oaks Ranch ballot
with the Place 4 seat being filled by a new councilmember
Jarrett joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in September 2021
he was a staff writer for two papers in North Georgia
the North Georgia News and the Towns County Herald
He graduated from Young Harris College with a degree in Creative Writing in 2020
real estate development and nonprofits in the Northeast San Antonio Metrocom
Hotelier Middle East
Home » People » The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah appoints Marilu Olvera as general manager
The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah has announced the appointment of Marilu Olvera as its new general manager.
With more than two decades of international hospitality experience, Olvera has held senior leadership roles across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Costa Rica, the Maldives, Jamaica, and Mexico. Her past tenures include positions at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Six Senses Zighy Bay, Cheval Blanc Randheli by LVMH, and Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection.
“It is an honour to take on the role of general manager at The Chedi Al Bait, a property that so beautifully embodies the spirit and heritage of Sharjah,” said Olvera. “The resort is a true gem — a place where history, culture, and understated luxury come together to create a deeply memorable guest experience.”
Olvera is recognised for her thoughtful leadership style, grounded in authenticity, cultural sensitivity, and a focus on operational growth. She has led multiple pre-openings, implemented transformative guest initiatives, and built high-performing, multicultural teams.
“My focus will be on preserving the authenticity that defines The Chedi Al Bait while continuing to elevate the service and standards our guests have come to expect,” she added. “I believe in leading with purpose and cultivating a team culture built on trust, passion, and attention to detail — because it’s the people who bring a destination to life.”
MexicoChevron
OaxacaChevron
“The markets capture what is beautiful about Oaxaca,” he tells Condé Nast Traveler from his home in Mexico City
“Even though seasons are not as pronounced here in Mexico as they are elsewhere in North America
you will see all these variations of vegetables and different kinds of herbs that make up the region’s cuisine.”
What was the first thing you ate when you got off the plane
He moved back to Oaxaca five or six years ago
and opened this small restaurant inside his family’s house
They work only with heirloom products from Oaxaca
and cook with whatever they find at the market
which means they don't have a long menu
and are stuffed with a few threads of pork or chicken
They also have this amazing tichinda tamale
too: Jorge's wife curates a lot of artisanal ceramics
and there are always some textiles and tableware to buy
I love having breakfast at Casa Oaxaca hotel
where I usually stay if I’m not at Casa Criollo because
The hotel is right across the street from the Santo Domingo Church
and it has one of the most beautiful interior patios in the city
Just five or six tables and a menu that changes all the time
it’s like a verbal list of things that they cook that day
where they’re usually served with red or green salsa along with freshly made tortillas and
smoked meat that is just quickly grilled over charcoal
a nice glass of whatever juice is available—there are so many varieties of mangoes
and oranges here—and maybe a coffee or a hot chocolate with water
In Mexico, Chef Enrique Olvera Is Doubling Down on His Commitment to Local FarmersWith Mexico's artisanal produce under threat
the country's top chef is prioritizing his commitment to small farms—to the benefit of diners
And your most anticipated meal—and how was it
One of my favorite chefs is Thalia [Barrios García], who has a restaurant called La Cocina de Humo
where she uses comals [clay pans] to prepare a set menu
with lots of different bites from the region [within Oaxaca] where she is from
She’s not doing a fixed menu of the classics
She is also very good at guisados—braised meats with chiles—so I’m always looking forward to those
And she does this salad with heirloom tomatoes
I think that’s one of the most beautiful dishes that she makes
And you can always stop somewhere and have a quesadilla—just make sure that the quesillo is fresh
Most of the restaurants here tend to be laid back
There’s actually been a lot of very heated conversations about whether Mexican regional cuisines can be performed in fine dining
it’s more about the hospitality and the execution
It’s more about what's happening on the plate than the luxury of the space or the fanciness of the experience
One dish very close to my heart is a tlayuda
Alejandro Ruiz from Casa Oaxaca makes one with all the insects from Oaxaca—the worms and the chicatana ant and the grasshoppers
The chicatana ants taste a little bit like beef jerky and a little bit of coffee; they have this fermented soil taste
The grasshoppers are normally a little bit spicy
because they are roasted with chiles and garlic
Then the worms… I personally think they're really smoky and more fatty
The best dessert in Oaxaca is fruit in peak season
The mangos here taste so much better than regular mangoes in Mexico City
but as a snack I’ll add a little chile and salt
Well, I’m always traveling back with mezcal. Most of the good mezcal is produced in very small [batches]. So if you find a mezcal that you like, buy a bottle, because you probably won't see it again. And I like to buy seeds from some of the markets if I can. That way I can plant them in my garden and get them forever.
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which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame News
University of Notre Dame juniors Faiza Filali and Angela Olvera have been named to the third cohort of Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholars. They are Notre Dame’s second and third Voyager Scholars after senior Raleigh Kuipers
who recently returned from Latin America as a member of the second cohort
Administered by the Obama Foundation with support from a $100 million gift from Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky
the Voyager Scholarship offers rising juniors who qualify for need-based financial aid the opportunity to pursue careers in public service through access to travel and education
This year’s cohort consists of 100 students from 35 states and territories
representing 60 colleges and universities across the United States
Selected for their strong academic record and commitment to public service
Voyager scholars receive as much as $50,000 in “last dollar” financial aid
plus a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience
Filali, who is from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a political science and peace studies major with minors in Korean and the Hesburgh Program in Public Service. She is a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar and Glynn Family Honors Scholar
French and Korean with varying degrees of proficiency
Filali has served as an intern with the Borgen Project
a nonprofit dedicated to ending global poverty
She has also interned with the National Committee on North Korea
a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula
through the College of Arts and Letters’ Washington Program
She will study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul in the spring
Filali plans to travel between South Korea and Japan to research local opinions on nuclear proliferation in support of her senior thesis
which will focus on the political and societal effects of living in direct proximity to a nuclear state
She plans to attend law school after graduation
then work with policymakers through established international organizations such as the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs to bring an end to “nuclear anxiety.”
“I am so absolutely beyond grateful to have been selected for the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service,” Filali said
“The benefits of this award — including the scholarship
summer experience and being in a cohort of intelligent
talented and motivated students — makes my commitment to nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation all the more realistic and meaningful
I am beyond excited to engage with the cohort and push myself even further towards my goal of building nuclear peace.”
Angela Olvera is a political science major and Latino studies and constitutional studies minor from McAllen
She is a Latino Studies Scholar and a cabinet member for national political engagement and gender relations for Notre Dame Student Government
She is a past research assistant with the Institute for Latino Studies
Olvera has served as an intern in the Office of the Vice President of the United States
She has also interned for the National Immigrant Justice Center through the Institute for Latino Studies’ Cross Cultural Leadership Program
Joaquin Castro of Texas through the Washington Program
She will study abroad through Notre Dame London in the spring
she plans to research citizenship processes while interning for the International Rescue Committee in Colombia
a nonprofit devoted to helping people whose lives are shattered by disaster or conflict
with the ultimate goal of helping to develop and implement immigration and other policy — and advise the attorney general and deputy attorney general on such policy — from within the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy
"I am incredibly grateful to receive the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship and to be welcomed into a community truly dedicated to public service,” Olvera said
“I was born and raised in a border community in South Texas
I hope to make my community proud and work towards real change and empowerment of akin communities
In applying for the Voyager Scholarship, Filali and Olvera worked closely with the Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE)
which promotes the intellectual development of Notre Dame undergraduates through scholarly engagement
creative endeavors and the pursuit of fellowships
Elise Rudt-Moorthy is the associate director of national fellowships at CUSE
“Working with Faiza and Angela was an absolute pleasure
and I am incredibly impressed with their accomplishments and drive as they are only just beginning junior year,” Rudt-Moorthy said
“They are both truly deserving of this award and will do amazing things on the global stage.”
For more on this and other scholarship opportunities visit cuse.nd.edu
Notre Dame News
© 2025 University of Notre Dame
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MALIBU - Jaxon Olvera has signed with the Pepperdine men's basketball program
head coach Ed Schilling announced on Tuesday afternoon
Olvera spent his senior year of high school at Dynamic Prep in Irving
Texas during the 2022-23 season before heading West last year to attend Golden State Prep in Northern California
3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while helping his team to the 2023 Texas Christian Athletic League 6A Championship
Olvera saw competition against some of the nation's top recruits and averaged 19 points and six boards per contest
"Jaxon is a great addition to our basketball program," Schilling said
"He was one of the best guards on the prep school circuit this past season being named to the first team in several of the top tournaments such as: Big Shot National Tournament
Hoop Hall Prep Showcase and The Golden State Classic
his versatility was seen in his season averages of 19 points
We are excited to see how he fits in and contributes to the Pepperdine basketball program."
"I chose Pepperdine because I had a very good feeling about it and it felt like home," Olvera said
"I'm so excited to play in a good conference and really show my talent on the biggest stage."
Thanks for visiting
ShareSaveCommentBusinessFood & DrinkHexClad And Chef Enrique Olvera Help Desert Smash Charity Tennis Event Raise Over $1 MillionByAndrew Watman
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
I cover innovation across the food & beverage landscape.Follow AuthorMar 14
10:15am EDTShareSaveCommentDesert Smash 2025
largely by providing prenatal vitamins to pregnant women in underserved regions
“We have a soft spot for promoting the role that women play across society,” HexClad cofounder and CEO Danny Winer tells me
“We’re also the sponsors of the James Beard Women's Leadership Foundation
which provides scholarships to aspiring female chefs…So whenever we can do anything like that
catered the event with a team of chefs using HexClad’s proprietary ‘hybrid’ cookware
Laser-etched hexagons cover the surface of these pots and pans which make them non-stick without a teflon coating thanks to HexClad’s patented ‘TerraBond’ technology
forever chemical-free non-stick,” Winer says
The non-stick technology is just one layer of the ‘hybrid’ innovation
“The edges of the hexagons are like the peaks
and in the valley is the non-stick…but because the food is actually resting on the peaks
you get a great golden brown sear and you can use metal utensils on it,” Winer explains
“It’s got the searing power and the durability of stainless steel and the heat retention and searing capability of cast iron.”
The program began with a cocktail hour along Zenyara’s lakeside beach
including a caviar bar and hor d’Oeuvres like thick-cut tuna tostadas with flaky sea salt
The first course Olvera and his team served was a kanpachi ceviche topped with caviar and ginger with hearts of palm in a miso sauce
A family-style plate of roasted duck carnitas accompanied mushroom barbacoa and smoked tomatoes for guests to fill their own house-made tortillas
Olvera’s inspiration for the dining experience derived from blending inspiration from his three restaurants
but added a twist by honoring Southern California’s beloved fresh produce
“The products here and the products in Mexico are different
but the technique is pretty much the same,” Olvera tells me
but we're using different kinds of fish and vegetables.”
Functionally adorned throughout the dining table were the aluminum statuettes that are HexClad’s new HexMill Pepper Grinder
The heavy-duty burr grinders are designed to withstand a home next to a hot stove for years
“We wanted something that was really hard and durable,” Winer says
it broke the tile of your floor versus the pepper mill itself.”
chef Olvera began to ladle on each plate what seemed like hot chocolate lava puddles
“It’s probably our most emblematic dish at Pujol,” he says
“It has been aged and heating for the past 10 years.” A tlayuda with spring herbs were used as a vessel to taste the outrageously indulgent mole which carried a deeply nutty flavor profile
The #1 seeded men’s player at this year’s BNP Paribas Open
attended the charity dinner to show his support for the cause
“Desert Smash is a highlight–seeing people enjoy tennis and growing as a sport for a great cause is the best part.”
Two dessert dishes included a banana leaf flan drizzled in sesame caramel and a violet hibiscus meringue that sparked a tropical sensation yet casually constrained thanks to a touch of vanilla
Olvera tells me that in honor of the 25th anniversary of Pujol
he will be bringing the restaurant to LA for a 10-day pop-up event in April
“A lot of the customers that we have in Mexico City are from Los Angeles,” he says
“so we believe that it’s a market that knows the Pujol name well.” He will be bringing back Pujol classics
and teases me with a handful of dishes he plans to highlight on the exclusive menu
“We used to make thinly sliced avocado in a ravioli style with shrimp tartar that will probably be there
we used to do a squash blossom soup–with cream that we melted with coconut
And a fish al pastor and the mole de olla that were also emblematic during the first decade of Pujol.” The tasting menu of about seven courses will be available for about 200 covers
split between an early evening and late evening service
She says she also loves Olipop’s Crisp Apple flavor
"I always go for Dobel tequila whenever I have a moment to celebrate a big win,” she tells me
Hexclad is expected to focus more of its marketing efforts in the sports world
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The mole madre at Pujol has been the living
breathing headliner of the fine dining favorite for more than ten years
Chef Enrique Olvera explores the dish’s biography and hints at its future
Enrique Olvera’s mouth starts to water as he describes the mole that crowns the prix fixe menu at his restaurant Pujol in Mexico City
when it arrives at our table pooled on a small plate and he has swiped his finger through it to capture a taste
That the mole here stirs such sensory enthusiasm in the veteran chef is perhaps a sign of the dish’s place in his career
a signature offering that has come to define his cooking style of exquisitely elevated age-old ingredients
It’s also a dish that he’s watched grow up in the most biological sense: For more than a decade
the same batch of mole has been reheated and remixed with a fresh one
producing a flavor that embodies the complexities and certainties that come with age
and watched as Pujol this year received one of Mexico’s first Two MICHELIN Star distinctions
It’s become so synonymous with the restaurant that diners complained after it was at first left off the menu at Pujol’s adjunct taco bar
But as the restaurant looks towards its 25th anniversary next year
breathing headliner into a new stage of life
“I think it's a little bit like what happened to Juan Gabriel when they asked him to sing ‘Querida,’” Olvera says of the mythic Mexican pop star and his trademark song
before noting the upcoming quarter-century milestone
“We’re going to make several changes in the overall experience of the restaurant
and I think surely we’ll have to change the way in which the mole participates in that experience.”
When we speak last month in the restaurant’s lush courtyard
when the tomatoes and bananas that compose the peaks and depths of its flavor are at their ripest
Dozens of ingredients make up the black mole recipe that is folded in every two days
while more star anise than tradition dictates lends a brightness to the dish
When the kitchen detects that the spice level is low
Fruits that bring “liveliness” recur in the recipe at the peak of their season
The path that the mole’s flavor follows over time “is more like a spiral than a line,” he says
you go back to banana and you go back to the apple.”
“What you look for when reheating a mole is for the ingredients to meld and for there to be a better integration of the ingredients into the whole,” he says
Still, over its 3,500-day lifetime, the mole madre has gone through certain distinguishing phases. The story of the dish begins, like most moles in Mexico, with a celebration: the first anniversary of Quintonil (Two MICHELIN Stars)
now a fine dining landmark down the street in Polanco.
Olvera and his team prepared a mole negro with the chilhuacle they had recently bought in bulk from farmers in Oaxaca as part of an initiative to save the chili from extinction
The sauce was served spooned over a lightly fried tortilla
like stars on a black night sky – a metaphor for mole as a celestial body
The leftovers were taken back to the Pujol kitchen
where they were reheated and served each day until the supply ran low
Satisfied with how the mole had gotten smoother with each trip back to the flame – a technique Olvera says he learned from the chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita
a renowned researcher of Mexican gastronomy – the original Quintonil batch was extended with the integration of a new one
penciling notes on the mole’s metamorphosing flavors into a logbook and adjusting around the edges
the team introduced fruit into the recipe and designed the elegant plating that remains today
with a circle of a rust red mole made fresh that day nested in the center of the mole madre
then ones delicately pressed with an hoja santa leaf
after Olvera has passed over any maize or metal vessel in favor of his digital utensil
he explains that the way the mole madre tastes moves in cycles
I think that’s something very beautiful,” Olvera says
The next form the mole will take in the reimagined Pujol remains unclear
But Olvera betrays no hint of anxiety about the uncertain fate of his most important creation
When you manage to understand food in that way
I think there’s no anxiety about creativity,” Olvera says
“I feel that creativity is something that happens over time.”
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Enrique Olvera\u2019s mouth starts to water as he describes the mole that crowns the prix fixe menu at his restaurant Pujol in Mexico City
That the mole here stirs such sensory enthusiasm in the veteran chef is perhaps a sign of the dish\u2019s place in his career
It\u2019s also a dish that he\u2019s watched grow up in the most biological sense: For more than a decade
and watched as Pujol this year received one of Mexico\u2019s first Two MICHELIN Star distinctions
It\u2019s become so synonymous with the restaurant that diners complained after it was at first left off the menu at Pujol\u2019s adjunct taco bar
\u201cI think it's a little bit like what happened to Juan Gabriel when they asked him to sing \u2018Querida,\u2019\u201d Olvera says of the mythic Mexican pop star and his trademark song
\u201cAs long as people continue to like it
\u201cWe\u2019re going to make several changes in the overall experience of the restaurant
and I think surely we\u2019ll have to change the way in which the mole participates in that experience.\u201d
When we speak last month in the restaurant\u2019s lush courtyard
Fruits that bring \u201cliveliness\u201d recur in the recipe at the peak of their season
The path that the mole\u2019s flavor follows over time \u201cis more like a spiral than a line,\u201d he says
you go back to banana and you go back to the apple.\u201d
\u201cWhat you look for when reheating a mole is for the ingredients to meld and for there to be a better integration of the ingredients into the whole,\u201d he says
Still, over its 3,500-day lifetime, the mole madre has gone through certain distinguishing phases. The story of the dish begins, like most moles in Mexico, with a celebration: the first anniversary of Quintonil (Two MICHELIN Stars)
like stars on a black night sky \u2013 a metaphor for mole as a celestial body
Satisfied with how the mole had gotten smoother with each trip back to the flame \u2013 a technique Olvera says he learned from the chef Ricardo Mu\u00f1oz Zurita
a renowned researcher of Mexican gastronomy \u2013 the original Quintonil batch was extended with the integration of a new one
penciling notes on the mole\u2019s metamorphosing flavors into a logbook and adjusting around the edges
I think that\u2019s something very beautiful,\u201d Olvera says
I think there\u2019s no anxiety about creativity,\u201d Olvera says
\u201cI feel that creativity is something that happens over time.\u201d
« Back
This Thursday the Mexican delegation won their third medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
thanks to the performance of Juan Manuel Celaya and Osmar Olvera
who took the second place and the silver medal home
being bested only by a minimum difference by the Chinese duo
the Mexican divers Osmar Olvera and Juan Manuel Celaya have secured the first Olympic medal for Mexico in the Synchronized 3 meters Springboard Diving
the talented divers got an extraordinary score of 444,03
It is important to mention that never before has such a small difference between the first and the second places been seen
which proves how tight the competition was
and it was only defined in the last of the six attempts
with the Chinese team taking home the gold and 446,10 points
The third place went to Great Britain with a score of 438,15
This is a complete joy for the Mexican duo
obtaining their first Olympic medal and the sixteenth for Mexico in this sport throughout history
The Panam Sports Ambassador Osmar Olvera was happy
although he stated they could’ve taken the gold
it’s a subjective assessment sport and that’s how it is
in the end the judges didn’t think our performance was the winning one
you don’t even know how hard we trained for this medal,” mentioned the Santiago 2023 Pan American champion
and I was able to have them here on the stands
a big hug to the rest of my family that stayed home
I’m so happy and I only want to thank everyone,” concluded Osmar Olvera after his spectacular presentation
The Panam Sports Ambassador still has to participate in the individual competition
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OSHKOSH – A 23-year-old Omro man will spend three decades in prison for killing his girlfriend in March 2023
He had initially been charged with first-degree intentional homicide
but he took the lesser charge in a plea deal
In the early morning hours of March 11, 2023
officers from the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office were called to a residence on Spruce Street in Omro after a man called 911 saying he killed his girlfriend and threatened suicide
they took him into custody just before 4 a.m.
A medical examiner determined her injuries were "consistent with smothering," according to the complaint
investigators found a note written at 1:01 a.m
that included the statement "I'm sorry (Johanna)
I didn't mean to kill you," and a video of Olvera apologizing to Schultz and her parents
Olvera said he had been drinking throughout the day on March 10
He said he woke up that night and found Olvera lying on the floor
Olvera told investigators "he didn't know if he caused her injuries because he was drunk," the complaint states
One of Olvera's friends who had been at the residence earlier in the night on March 10 but left around 10 p.m.
told investigators Olvera had been "defiant and drunk" and had gotten into a disagreement with Schultz about the volume of Olvera's music
Olvera "was definitely intoxicated but not to a point where he didn't know what he was (doing) or he was falling down drunk," according to the complaint
RELATED: Police identify 20-year-old woman found dead after disturbance at Omro residence
Two people who were close with Schultz told investigators she and Olvera had a rocky relationship
One of them told investigators Schultz had for the previous month "seemed sad and stressed" and had been "acting different," according to the complaint
Investigators said most of the text conversation between Schultz and Olvera had been deleted about a week prior to her death
but they found a conversation from June 2022 in which Schultz told Olvera "I'm scared you're gonna kill me" and Olvera wrote "I told you I was very angry and just mad at everything," the complaint says
Olvera is currently incarcerated at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @ArseneauKelli
A Columbus man faces drug trafficking charges after Licking County prosecutors accused him of trying to sell meth to undercover Homeland Security agents at a Hebron truck stop
Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force detectives and Homeland Security agents arrested him last week after they allege he sold an informant 4.5 ounces of meth and 1 ounce of cocaine at the stop
The court set Olvera-Sanchez’s bond at $1.5 million and appointed him an attorney
He remained in Licking County jail as of Thursday afternoon
detectives allege that they found 3 kilos of cocaine
213 grams of fentanyl and several firearms inside Olvera-Sanchez’s home and shed
They also allege he had a gun while they arrested him
Detectives also allege in the complaint that Olvera-Sanchez
also known as "Keto Olvera," told them during his arrest that he sells drugs “to make a little extra money” and that he let them search his shed
They are also accusing him of shoving an officer and fleeing during the search before they arrested him again
Inmate records show officers also arresting Olvera-Sanchez on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest
Olvera-Sanchez is next scheduled to appear in court Oct
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com
The Mexican chef behind Cosme and Pujol reveals his travel routine
In celebration of Cosme’s 10th anniversary
Olvera details how he lives well at cruising altitude
What do you wear to the airport?Comfortable pants
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A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated for Clemente Olvera age 80 of Lamesa, TX. at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with Father Sylvester Dsouza officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the... View Obituary & Service Information
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Omro man sentenced in girlfriend's deathby Brian Kerhin
Olvera had previously pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless homicide
avoiding the mandatory life prison term the original count of first-degree intentional homicide would have carried
and promised to get help with mental health and addiction issues
“There’s no words to show just how sorry I am
Not only to family and friends but to everyone who knew just how wonderful she was,” he said
According to the criminal complaint, Olvera called police to report the death
indicated he had firearms and was planning to die by suicide
Members of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office SWAT and Negotiator team were deployed to the scene
officers heard a gun multiple times from inside the residence
Olvera left the home wearing body armor and with "a fully automatic AR and a Glock," the complaint states
Olvera said he didn't know how Schultz died because he was drunk at the time
Police found a digital note on Schultz's phone
The couple had ongoing relationship issues
Autopsy results Schultz's injuries were "consistent with smothering," the complaint states
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, FOX 11 has various suicide prevention resources available.
NOTE: This defendant, Joseph Olvera, is unrelated to a man with the same name who was sentenced for a stabbing at a Green Bay gas station.
Few people would be overjoyed at the prospect of working in a computational facility at night
Monica Olvera de la Cruz was doing it with a smile on her face
she was a PhD student at the University of Cambridge researching how polymer chains mix and move at the molecular level
But the research required extensive work in algorithm construction and simulations
which was a tall order for Cambridge’s single computer available to students
Olvera de la Cruz would have to wait in a queue of dozens of young scientists for days to use the equipment for a few hours
Her fortunes changed after a visit to the UK Medical Research Council’s state-of-the-art computational facilities
“I asked my friend if I could run my simulations on their equipment at night,” Olvera de la Cruz recalls
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Current position: Lawyer Taylor Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Best professional advice: Find your own research problems because there is no satisfaction working on a problem others have formulated
It will probably be solved before you solve it
I have too many favorite songs depending on my mood
These polymer simulations led to a partnership with the council to try to understand what happens to DNA
“I think that was the most important thing I did
to look for a problem that had significance
It was no longer just a simulation game,” she says
That unexpected collaboration changed the course of her doctorate
and it was a sign of where her research would end up
Olvera de la Cruz directs her own lab and several research centers at Northwestern University that are known for their work combining chemistry
She’s especially well known for bridging theoretical and experimental teams with her multidisciplinary approach and bright spirit
“She loves her science and really has a deep commitment to it
It’s an infectious enthusiasm,” says Charles Sing
who worked with Olvera de la Cruz during his postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University
Olvera de la Cruz’s origins are far from universities
the greater the lack of laboratories,” she says
she had no opportunity to meet any researcher and had no scientist as a role model
which initially led her to consider a career in philosophy or mathematics
her curiosity about the nature that surrounded her flourished
It all translated into an aptitude for science in school
She recalls her first physics class: “The teacher gave us all the equations
With the support of her family and the desire to understand the forces of nature
she pursued a physics degree at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
a group at Northwestern used simulations created by Olvera de la Cruz’s group to design soft materials with the ability to react and adapt to the environment at a molecular level—for example
by being responsive to magnetic fields and light
Those properties were key to the robots’ walking and steering
the group members need to deal with many variables
such as how an electric field is distorted by ions
and they need to know which variable will be relevant for what they want to do
trying to figure out what is going on in our systems,” says Martin Girard
and there was always a good atmosphere in the group
And despite the often behind-the-scenes roles assumed by theoreticians
“you can see the echoes of Monica’s work and the ideas she pioneered going throughout the literature over the past few decades,” says Sing
who is now a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
One of her greatest influences is in the field of electrolytes
she discovered that the interactions between polyelectrolytes and counterions
can lead to the formation of a solid from a solution
This discovery contributed to the understanding of the behavior of charged molecules
my PhD adviser mentioned that if I wanted to understand electrolytes
all I needed to do was read Olvera de la Cruz’s papers,” Sing says
“Often when I go to do something in this area
I look back and find that Monica did it very well decades ago.”
With a constant smile and joy in sharing her knowledge
Olvera de la Cruz can engage anyone in the fields she studies
Today the professor is pleased to see that academia
especially in the fields of chemistry and physics
and she hopes this will allow new generations to feel more included in the scientific community
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a dedicated industrial operator whose life was marked by resilience and love
Ignacio's journey was an inspiring testament to hard work and determination
His days were spent tirelessly contributing to the industry
embodying the spirit of diligence that so many admired in him
was that of a devoted husband to Josefina Gonzalez
Their bond was a beautiful narrative of partnership woven through shared dreams and enduring support
they built a life steeped in mutual respect and affection
one that echoed through the laughter and warmth of their shared moments
leaving an indelible mark on Josefina's heart
As family and friends gather to pay tribute to Ignacio’s life
they will remember his infectious smile and the way he approached every day with enthusiasm and purpose
He was not only a steadfast figure in the workplace but also a source of inspiration for those around him—an embodiment of perseverance that many aspired to emulate
Ignacio Recendiz Olvera leaves behind a legacy of love
and devotion that will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have known him
His memory will forever be cherished by those whose lives he touched
a gentle reminder of the importance of family
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The Mexican diver and Panam Sports Ambassador got a score of 500,40 and won the third place and bronze medal in Paris 2024
The Santiago 2023 Pan American champion came with a clear goal to the Olympic Games: win a medal
he won a silver medal in the Synchronized 3 meters springboard with Juan Celaya
and today he reached glory once more by winning the bronze medal in the individual event
as the most important athlete of the Mexican delegation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
and one of the top athletes in the history of Mexican sports
Osmar Olvera got third place with a score of 500,40
The second place went to Zongyuan from China with 530,20
and the first place and Olympic champion title went to Sit Zie
The President of Panam Sports Neven Ilic and the honorable Executive Committee congratulate the Team Panam Sports Ambassador on this amazing achievement for Mexico and the Americas
Reporting by Kane Wu; Editing by Ken Ferris
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Print One of Olvera Street’s most photographed icons may soon vanish from his post because of a ruling by a Los Angeles city commission
the stuffed donkey known as “El Burro” who greets guests entering Olvera Street
were given a 30-day eviction notice on Thursday
Hernandez owns and operates a Mexican restaurant there called La Carreta
The notice was handed out by the Board of Commissioners for the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument Authority
The board manages the historic and commercial resources of Olvera Street, a venerable thoroughfare whose origin dates back to when the city was founded as a Spanish pueblo. In 1930, the street was officially repurposed as a Mexican marketplace
The board listed ownership issues and delinquency concerns as the primary drivers for voting in favor of eviction, according to board records.
Hernandez’s troubles began years ago when his mother, Maria Trancito Hernandez, tried to add his name to the lease for the spot occupied by La Carreta. According to the commissioners, Maria Trancito was the sole individual on the lease agreement.
In the eviction notice, the board acknowledged that Maria Trancito Hernandez attended a meeting on Oct. 9, 2019, with El Pueblo’s previous general manager. She requested that her son Richard, who was managing the “El Burro” stand and restaurant, and her daughter Patricia Hernandez be added to the agreement.
Olvera Street’s general manager expressed concern then about adding Richard Hernandez, citing a “record of nonpayment of rent, inconsistent business insurance, aggressive and threatening behavior and making false accusations against city staff and merchants.”
There was no documentation of Hernandez’s alleged failings or any explanation of what constituted the “aggressive and threatening behavior.”
A call to current general manager Arturo Chavez was not immediately returned, nor were calls to the Hernandez family.
California
Jorge has never turned down a photo opportunity
the stuffed donkey faces eviction from Olvera Street
Richard Hernandez was placed on a one-year hold to give him an opportunity to improve his behavior
The board eventually found that his aggressiveness continued from 2019 through 2023
When shops returned to business in the summer of 2021
there was no further progress on amending the lease
Nicole Macias, niece of Richard and granddaughter of Maria Trancita, called the issue a “clerical error” in a TikTok post on May 10 and said she didn’t understand why Olvera Street wasn’t working on a new lease.
Pete Brown, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León, who represents Olvera Street, said that the board has the power to enter into contracts for services and leases as it deems necessary.
“As of today, our office was not made aware of any extenuating circumstances preventing the commission from providing a lease agreement,” he said. “Therefore, it’s disappointing to see that the El Pueblo Commission could not find a way to amicably resolve the situation with Mr. Hernandez. This leaves El Pueblo with one less legacy-family business to uphold the history and traditions of our city’s birthplace.”
was named this week as one of the country’s top five “Great Streets” by the American Planning Assn
Though Richard Hernandez has been running the business since the 1990s
Don Chuy employed a live donkey from Pomona named Cirila
Cirila was also used in Olvera Street’s traditional Christmas posadas
Cirila was retired in 1972 and replaced with the stuffed donkey Jorge
The erstwhile beast of burden sat for six months in a customs warehouse before agents cleared its passage
Jorge has become an iconic feature on Olvera Street
with generations of locals and visitors taking photos
A petition to save Jorge is nearing 5,000 signatures.
Andrew J. Campa is a member of the Fast Break team at the Los Angeles Times, having previously covered the Eastside and San Gabriel Valley. Before, he worked at several medium and small daily newspapers and has covered education, sports and general news. He’s a proud University of Alabama (#RollTide), Cal State Fullerton and Pasadena City College alumnus.
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