Scenes From My Latest Macy’s Event
If you missed the Food Gal’s most recent appearance at Macy’s Union Square in San Francisco last Saturday with Brazilian food entrepreneur Monika Batista, you missed a delightful, delectable time.
But don’t despair.
Thanks to to Macy’s regulars, Barry and Evan Jan, here are photos they took that captured the afternoon’s cooking demo, as Batista showed how to make the Brazilian cheesy snack bread known as pao de quejo.
Gluten-free, they are made from yuca root flour.
Batista, a Los Gatos resident who was born in Brazil, imports two types of that root flour from her native country to make the pao de quejo she sells under her Mani label. You can find them in the frozen food section at Whole Foods. Just heat them up in the oven until they’re golden. You won’t be able to resist their crisp exterior and airy interior.
At Saturday’s demo, Batista showed how to make them with the more commonly available tapioca flour, which can be found at well-stocked markets and Asian stores.
Yours truly acted as the MC, peppering Batista with questions as she cooked.
Did you know she can speak five languages?
Yup — Portuguese, German, French, English and Japanese.
Did you know her former career was as a landscape architect? And that she had her own successful firm in Brazil?
Yes, she did.
And did you know it was her mother’s death that led her to change paths in life?
It’s true. She decided to move to the United States, where her brothers were, and to try her hand at creating a company that made the childhood snack breads she adored in Brazil.
You couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon with a standing-room-only crowd, who got to enjoy the pao de quejo filled with guacamole and red pepper hummus.
Chef Earl Shaddix of All-Clad also around to lend a helping hand.
It was a taste of Brazil — right here in San Francisco.
More: My Review of Mani Snacks
Plus Scenes from Other Food Gal Macy’s Appearances: Cooking My Mom’s Tomato Beef Chow Mein (video), as well as photos and recipe.
And: Making Joong with Chef Alex Ong of Betelnut
A wonderful event! It looks like you had a lot of fun.
Cheers,
Rosa
You gals looked great! I love that snack – wish they sold it here.
Mmmm, never heard of these baked cheesy snacks but I bet it smelled wonderful at Macy’s that day!
Monika! With a mike and all… Have you reserved your stand at the SuperBowl?
Your menu sounds fantastic…and I’m certain it was yummy
Looks like a ton of fun and full of so much good food!
I’m getting jealous of so much success! You won´t have time for me anymore!!!!! On the other hand, I’m very happy to see your dream becoming true!! Kissessss
I love reading these posts Carolyn and getting to see you out and about! You look fabulous! 😀
Looks like a great event, and it’s too bad I missed it.
I WISH I WAS THERE!!!!! I could meet you in person. 🙂 Sounds like it was a very successful event. You look so great in public!
Oh, how exciting. I’ll need to make the trip there next time, would love to see you, I just love your blog.
Such a fascinating story and I have never heard of this root, thanks for educating us!
Sounds like a fun event! I’m not really a connoisseur of department stores, but the Union Square Macy’s has to be one of the nicest in the country. Anyway, nice post.
It looks that girls rocked this show! 🙂 You look great!
What a fun day that must have been! 🙂
Hi, muy name is Rafael Freire. I am jornalist from IStoÉ DINHEIRO, one of the most popular business from BRazil. Im doing an article about Monika Batista and her business Mãnà Snacks. She participated of Macy’s Event recently. Could you please send the phofos of Monika Batista in hight resolution?
Regards