Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia Delgado-Jimenez.
Hi Amelia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
As a little girl, I always knew I had a love for food. As I got older and watching both of my parents cook for a family of 6. I grew to love cooking. Growing up in a tight nit family home where home-cooked meals was our only choice it wasn’t a mystery why it stuck. Then as an adult becoming a single parent of two, I was prepared, and home-cooked meals were always on the menu. I went from the learning the basics from trial & error to grabbing every cookbook I got my hands on, clipping recipes off the back of any and all packages, magazines, etc to perfecting that meal for my kids. I thought well if I could do that let me try this and many delicious meals and recipes just transpired from there. I have always loved to cook when we have family get together’s. My family and friends would always tell me I should be doing it for a living. What am I doing? Still working for someone else when I could be serving others these delicious meals and desserts, I never thought that that was a dream possible for me just because of my circumstances at the time so I continued my daily routine of working and raising my babies. The dream came back to me in 2018. I gathered all the family and asked them to help me come up with names for a food truck which is where Tia Mel’s was born, and what their favorite meal of mine to consider on my menu on the day that I have my own food truck, boy that was a fun night! I was so inspired, but with anything else a dream with no plan is just a dream. So, it fell by the wayside again. And I continued my usual routine. Now that my children are grown and on their own and the opportunity presented itself, I felt like it was now or never. I prayed prayed prayed and asked God to send me that sign that faith I needed to know if I jumped, he’s going to be there! So, I did it after 22 years at the same company where like many we felt underpaid and underappreciated I jumped and left corporate America as of November 2022 bought my food truck, and I am now pursuing my dream once and for all! I have a tremendous amount of love and support from family and friends and most of all God’s blessing. I’m grateful, nervous, excited to have been granted the opportunity to embark on this new journey in my life. I have a profound desire to bring joy to people through my cooking and baking. I’m no chef, just self-taught but when I’m in that kitchen the sky’s the limit to what I will come up with, and as long as love is always a part of it it’s all I can ask for! Tia Mels Eats & Treats food truck 2023
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! Starting with permits. It has been a challenge getting the city to approve my application for plan review. But after literally many nights of crying, doubts, and confusion I had to let my faith step in again and just breathe and understand it’s all a process. I had to trust and believe that whatever reason for my hold-up was something beyond my understanding, but it just means he’s preparing me for a breakthrough bigger than I can imagine. And this would be by far the biggest blessing yet! All things worth having aren’t always easy. So, after 8! Yes, 8 I finally got a yes 🙌🏻 so the ball is moving again, and I will continue to grab it and just roll with the punches along the way.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Tia Mel’s Eats & Treats?
Tia Mel’s is a mobile food trailer coming to Dallas this spring. I will be offering to take Mexican food, but not limited to; I never wanted to limit my menu to one type of food, but to find what pleases the crowd most is my goal. After all, it is all about the consumer. I also make delicious desserts, and what I’m known for most are my from-scratch cheesecakes and banana pudding. What sets me apart from others that I know personally who is the love that I have for cooking that is something that brings me the most pleasure. Again, I believe that it is because I put so much love and attention, and I do everything with intention to please. I’m proud that I never gave up on my dream. I am committed to bringing that home-cooked style food and taste everyone loves on Tia Mel’s menu. I guarantee to provide genuine service with a smile.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Any and all cookbooks especially the ones about home cooking. I love salsa recipe books because with a little produce in the fridge, you can make so many different salsas for any meal from the mildest, sweetest to the most spiciest! I love YouTube and Instagram, and most recently I just created a TikTok account just to follow other people who have the same love for cooking and baking as myself. And if I encounter a recipe that catches my attention. I love to experience with those with the twist of my own, to make it in my own way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tiamelseatsandtreats
- Facebook: @tiamelseats&treats
Image Credits
Cecily Delgado
