Marcela Valladolid

Marcela Valladolid, an American chef, author, and television personality, made waves in the culinary world with her authentic approach to Mexican cuisine. She started her career as an editor and recipe stylist for the acclaimed Bon Appétit magazine before transitioning into television. Valladolid first appeared on the 2005 series "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," earning a respectable fourth place. Her television career took off, leading her to host the Food Network series "Mexican Made Easy" and later serve as a judge on the network's "Best Baker in America" series.

Valladolid's prowess in the kitchen extends beyond television. She has penned multiple cookbooks, starting with "Fresh Mexico: 100 Simple Recipes for True Mexican Flavor," "Mexican Made Easy," "Casa Marcela," "Fiestas at Casa Marcela, and "Cocinando on Cook Stree: A Collection of Mi Familia's Recipes." Her books and television shows, including her second cooking show, "Mexican Made Easy," focus on simplifying and highlighting the flavors of her Mexican heritage. In addition to these accomplishments, Valladolid has participated in a variety of Food Network shows, including "Throwdown! with Bobby Flay" and "Iron Chef America."

In 2014, Valladolid further expanded her television career by joining the co-host panel on Food Network's show "The Kitchen," where she remained until October 2017. She also served as a judge on the CBS reality TV cooking competition series "The American Baking Competition" and was featured as a host on the "Great British Bake Off." Valladolid's culinary expertise, television experience, and flair for authentic Mexican cuisine make her an engaging and knowledgeable figure in the food industry.