I was born in East Los Angeles to Rita Montoya from Roswell, New Mexico, and Billy Nazario from San Juan, Puerto Rico. What a fusion, huh?! Definitely lots of personality and flavors!
My Nana passed away when I was four, but I know she was an incredible cook. I’d hear stories about how she’d wake up at 4 a.m. to make stacks of flour tortillas, a fresh pot of beans, and green or red chile—staples in a country New Mexican home. All the neighborhood children would gather around. She loved kids (she had 15 of her own!) and cooking. Nana was a tiny powerhouse of a lady! She died young from diabetes and gangrene in her leg. I remember the day, even though I was only four.
My daddy passed away when I was nine. He often said he married my mom because of her cooking. He grew up on Puerto Rican foods in Puerto Rico and New York, where my Grandma Judy was an amazing Puerto Rican cook. But when he moved to LA and met my mom, he fell in love with her New Mexico-style foods. He loved her heart, beauty, purity, and generosity, too. Three kids later, the rest was history. Sadly, he also passed away young, at just 35.
We grew up with a single widowed mom. We didn’t have much, but we had love and my mom's cooking. She’d feed everyone and anyone, just like my Nana did, especially those who just stopped by. It’s how she showed love. She was gentle, kind, giving, and generous. Her faith in God was huge! My mom would joke, "Your daddy married me because I could cook!"
That's how I learned to love cooking. I was in the kitchen with my mom from a very young age—since I was four. I remember getting off the bus and smelling my mom's cooking all the way around the corner. I’d run home, excited to eat! Her food was always amazing and full of love. Green or red chile was always cooking in the pots, with freshly made flour tortillas and real butter. Mmm, words can’t describe her food.
My mom taught me to cook everything: tamales, chiles, American, Italian—depending on her mood. She never measured anything, so there aren’t any recipes. It’s truly a gift to know flavors, tastes, textures, consistencies, and the smell of when something is ready. Her palate was amazing, and her nose was as sharp as a German Shepherd's, lol! She was blessed and gifted, and today, I have that same gift. Years of experience, trials, and errors taught me not to change a thing to accommodate someone's preference. If I did, it wouldn’t be Nana’s food; it would be everyone else’s, and the timeless love of Nana’s food would be lost. And I’m not doing it! Surely, I’ve created my own meals and recipes, but I do not replace Nana's. Cooking is love to me. My main ingredient is love, and cooking is my love language.
In my kitchen, I do real—real love, real ingredients, real handmade, real and authentic. All from scratch, using real ingredients like dairy, fats, nuts, and grains. All imported and locally sourced fresh ingredients and chiles. The good old-fashioned way.
No low-fat here! I’m your cook, not your doctor! Ironically, a lot of what we make can be low-carb or keto-friendly by omitting the tortillas, beans, or rice and still keeping you deliciously satisfied.
I wear many hats and have many accolades. I have been in real estate since 1993, but being a cook is my first love and truly a gift and passion! I have birthed seven children from one husband (yes, people ask, so I need to clear that up immediately). I have lots of experience with kids, family, cooking, customers, clients, and real estate. I truly care about what goes into your mouths and bellies, and I truly love my clients and their families. A kitchen is where your heart is, and homeownership is equally important.
It’s in my blood—food, family, faith, and real estate are it for me!
For those still wondering, I’m a woman of significant age, with brown hair and eyes, 5’1”, and weigh about 145 on a good day. Everything natural, and I love to laugh out loud. No time for crabby pattys or mean people. I love helping others, music, dancing, reading, being silly, common sense, and I’m very real and grounded. I work hard at everything I do. I’m a hustler because that’s what I was taught! I’m very passionate and sometimes funny loud, lol! I don’t have much time for a social life, but I love makeup. I love to help encourage women to feel radiant and beautiful plus cook—a lost art form with today's busy working women. I'm here to help you bring it back into your home. I love teaching women new skills like cooking, and people in recovery are my cause. I also have 2 other businesses I'm a licensed REALTOR and owner of ALL Things Feminine Goddess www.atfgoddess.com where I host bachelorette, freedom, just because and wellness parties for Women. Putting the FUN back into ladies lives.
Mostly, I love God with all my heart because, without Him, I am nothing. I hope this puts your mind at ease about who I am! I’m just a hardworking, fun-loving, old-fashioned woman who is blessed beyond what I deserve.
I look forward to doing business with you!
Chef Nana ~Michelle Ann
