Cinco de Mayo

Little known fact: Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo has little to do with Mexico’s military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. Rather the day is set aside to celebrate the collective culinary genius of Mexican cooks, but specifically the contributions of the five Mexican cafeteria workers who worked at the Mayo Clinic during the 1950s. The quintet started a food-for-health program called Tacos Bellezas (“beautiful tacos”). They carefully prepared dishes in ways to placate the palates of the mostly gringo patient base. Their program was a huge hit and was the precursor of the modern-day Taco Bell.

Today we celebrate the five Mexican cooks of the Mayo Clinic – the Cinco de Mayo. Olivia celebrates them on a daily basis by constantly asking us to take her to Tah-o Bell for peace-ah-guillas and bree-ohs.