My House Events Partner Series - 2
Chef Yvonne Molina of Doña’s Pizza & La Mezcla
We value all of the chefs, nonprofits, and partners that we work with and want YOU to know them better. Now more than ever, we feel like it’s time to shine even more of a spotlight on our chef ecosystem and amazing partners. Our chefs and partners are at the forefront of what we do and are the face to the client, but why not learn a little more about them and their businesses.
Meet Chef Yvonne!
She has been a long time chef in her own career, 20 years, and has worked with My House Events for 5 years. As the female owner of Doña's Pizza (@dona_pizza_nola) and La Mezcla (@lamezclamexicana) she’s made her mark on the New Orleans food scene. Her passion for cooking keeps the dishes exciting and the requests coming!
What was your inspiration for starting?
I moved to New Orleans February 2013. My culture is Mexican. I love Mexican food and discovered that there were little to no good options in New Orleans. The holidays were approaching and Tamales are a big deal in my family at Christmas. All of the women get together to this day to build 100 lbs worth of tamales to distribute among the family and eat at our family gathering on Christmas Eve. Because I couldn't make it back to my family home, I decided to make tamales on my own. They were so well received by friends, I started selling them at a pop up at a neighborhood bar I was working at.
Can you share a recipe with us?
I'm not exactly cooking Mexican these days as my current concept is Italian. Panko Crusted Artichoke Hearts with Lemon Aioli.
What is your favorite dish to cook for people?
I love making breakfast, especially big fluffy buttermilk pancakes from scratch and adding bananas and berries and maple syrup. Yum.
Easiest meal to impress someone?
People are so afraid of cream sauces. I was too once. But this simple Mushroom Alfredo is so decadent and delicious and soooo easy to make. It always impresses people.
If you could cook for anyone/have a meal with anyone (celebrity, role model, etc.) who would it be?
I don't think I could handle the stress of cooking for someone famous, especially someone I admire. Because this is purely fantasy, I would love to have drinks and a meal and people watch with my all time young adult crush Brad Pitt. We would be a hilarious duo.
Aside from your amazing restaurant and catering business, what is one of your favorite restaurants in the city that you like to go to?
I love Irene's in the French Quarter. Most locals would say to stay away from the French Quarter, but there are still a few gems to discover. I still dream about the mussels in marinara.
What's your favorite New Orleans dessert?
I'm obsessed with Bananas Foster. I love bananas and ice cream and rum and caramel. Just pour it into my mouth! My first experience with Bananas Foster was at Brennan's in the French Quarter where your server prepares the dessert table side. They put on a "flaming" good show.
What is your favorite thing about working with My House Events?
I have had so much fun working with the ladies of the house. There are so many moving parts to putting on a successful event and despite the stress of it all, they are always so well collected and friendly and easy to work with. It has been a genuine pleasure partnering with a strong group of women in this woman owned and woman run company.
