MORE THAN TAMALES

Every Tamale Has a Purpose

Hi, I'm Chef Nana.

Nearly 20 years ago, I started Nana's Tamales with a dream, a lot of determination, and a willingness to learn.

People often ask if my recipes were passed down through generations.

The answer is no.

My grandmother, Nana, passed away when I was only four years old, so I never had the opportunity to learn from her in the kitchen.

Instead, I grew up watching my mother cook. I paid attention to the love she poured into feeding our family. Over the years, I taught myself through countless hours of cooking, experimenting, making mistakes, and never giving up.

Everything Nana's Tamales has become is the result of faith, perseverance, and believing that ordinary ingredients can become something extraordinary when they're made with love.

For nearly two decades, Nana's Tamales has proudly served families throughout Southern California through farmers markets, catering, festivals, and special events. Along the way, I was honored to compete and win on Fox 11's The Golden Dish, proving that a humble tamale can stand beside the finest dishes.

But success changed my perspective.

As I found healing in my own life and recovery, I realized Nana's Tamales was becoming something much bigger than a food business.

It became a vehicle for hope.

Our Vision

My dream is to create more than a successful business.

I want to build a legacy.

One day, I hope to own a beautiful piece of property that brings everything together in one place.

A women's sober living home.

My home.

A nonprofit dedicated to helping women rebuild their lives.

And the Nana's Tamales production kitchen.

Women rebuilding their lives will have the opportunity to learn valuable job skills by making tamales, earn an income, participate in educational workshops, build confidence, and prepare for independent living.

I believe meaningful work restores dignity.

I believe community creates healing.

And I believe every woman deserves someone who believes in her until she learns to believe in herself.

Why Your Support Matters

When you order Nana's Tamales, you're doing more than enjoying authentic New Mexico-style tamales.

You're supporting a dream.

A dream where food creates opportunity.

Where business creates purpose.

Where women are given a second chance to rebuild their lives with dignity, hope, and meaningful employment.

Every catering order...

Every dozen tamales...

Every farmers market purchase...

Moves us one step closer to that vision.

Thank you for believing in small businesses with big hearts.

Thank you for supporting Nana's Tamales.

And thank you for being part of a story that's still being written.

With gratitude,

Chef Nana

OUR MISSION

At Nana's Tamales, our mission is to create exceptional handmade New Mexico-style tamales while building a business that serves a greater purpose.

We believe food has the power to bring people together, create opportunity, and strengthen communities.

Our vision extends beyond the kitchen. We are committed to creating pathways for women rebuilding their lives through meaningful work, education, mentorship, and hope.

Every tamale we make is crafted with excellence, every customer is treated like family, and every purchase helps move us closer to a future where women can recover, learn valuable skills, earn an income, and build a life they are proud of.

We're not just making tamales.

We're building hope, creating opportunity, and serving our community—one tamale at a time

Support Our Mission 

🫔 Catering for parties, weddings, corporate events, and special occasions.

📍 Visit us weekly at the Temecula Farmers Markets.

📖 Coming soon, you'll be able to text the keyword FREEDOM to receive our market schedule, recipes, blog updates, and learn more about the vision behind Nana's Tamales.

Every purchase helps build something bigger than a business. It helps build hope.