Caleb Zigas, La Cocina Executive Director
Caleb Zigas, executive director of the SF Mission District non-profit kitchen/incubator La Cocina is about ready to take Rec and Park up on their offer to host a food Cart in Dolores Park. La Cocina was one of the two original recipient of a permit to operate in Dolores (the other was Blue Bottle Coffee). La Cocina plans to honor their commitment. Caleb has been touring the neighborhood to explain his intentions to community leaders and to ask them, if they have a problem with vendors in Dolores, please take it to where the decisions are made, “Do not fight us, fight City Hall”.
“We were initially surprised by the opposition to the food carts,” Caleb told us. And he’s concerned that he’s still finding a few in vehement opposition to the permit. However, Caleb sees this as an opportunity for his clients that can not be turned down. “I will announce when we are ready to start when I am no longer scared for my client.”
La Cocina vendors at Dolores Park Works fundraiser in May 2010
La Cocina takes on budding entrepreneurs and guides them through the difficult trials of starting a small food business. Many of their clients are women, people of color and low-income. The Dolores food cart will initially be operated by Chaac Mool, Chef Luis Vazquez and his wife Maria de la Luz’s creation. The Vazquez’s will offer a selection of Yucatecan and Mayan cuisine including their specialty of a dry rubbed pork shoulder taco.
After a year or so, Chaac Mool will move on. Having earned the capital for their own restaurant and a new vendor will take over the cart.
Photos of Chaac Mool’s menu after the break.
Brazo de Reina
Sope
Cochinita
