Homegirl Cafe serves up opportunity for at-risk girls

Published: 2005-10-12

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Patricia Zarate has parlayed her family recipes and creative delectable concoctions into the newly opened Homegirl Cafe and Catering in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights. "Enchiladas de Mi 'a Ma" is her mother's recipe. "Rosa's Mole" honors the woman who taught her not to be afraid of making mole. The homemade jalapeno pesto with panela cheese "Consuelo's Sandwich" is named after a community leader who loves jalapeno pesto. A division of Homeboy Industries headed by Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, Homegirl Cafe also fulfills a longtime dream to offer young women caught up in gangs a place to work and learn practical cooking, baking, food preparation and service skills. As cafe and catering manager and head chef, the slender and silver-haired Zarate boldly mixes textures and colors like the green papaya, jicama, mango, green beans and a homemade citrus dressing in "Nora's Salad."

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