Yoli Tortilleria’s grind to “honor the very humble tortilla” earns James Beard Award
June 6, 2023 | Madeline Fox
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter.
[divide]
Yoli Tortilleria, a Mexican tortilla bakery with a retail store on Jefferson Street on Kansas City’s Westside and a manufacturing location on Bell Street, won the 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery — one of the most prestigious honors in the American food industry.
The Westside tortilla bakery beat out two bakeshops in North Texas, an Italian bakery in New Orleans and a Miami bread maker.
Marissa Gencarelli, Yoli Tortilleria, wins Outstanding Bakery at the 2023 James Beard Restaurant And Chef Awards at Lyric Opera Of Chicago; photo by Jeff Schear, Getty Images for The James Beard Foundation
Owner Marissa Gencarelli said in her acceptance speech Monday that the tortilleria opened when she was still grieving the loss of her parents.
“Baking became our therapy, a way to connect and honor my ancestors in the middle of North America,” she said. “Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for helping us honor the very humble tortilla.”
Gencarelli offered “gracias totales” to the James Beard Foundation, bakery employees, family and “Our city, Kansas City — without you, we would not be here.”
Last year, Yoli and its owners — Marissa and Mark Gencarelli — made it to the semifinals in the Outstanding Baker category, making history as the first tortilla bakery nominated for any James Beard Award.
When she spoke to KCUR in March about the bakery’s nomination as one of five finalists, Gencarelli said she was honored that her small business was recognized.
“I have a little kid and I always read ‘The Little Engine That Could,’ and we always feel like the little Mexican engine that could,” she said. “So, you know, it’s always going forward and just working as hard as we can.”
Yoli Tortilleria beat out Angelo Brocato Ice Cream & Confectionery in New Orleans, La Casita Bakeshop in Richardson, Texas, Kuluntu Bakery in Dallas, and Zak the Baker in Miami to take home the honor.
Click here to read more about Yoli Tortilleria from Startland News.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
‘This is the dream’: Starty Party turns up the volume on Kansas City tech, collaboration (Photos)
It isn’t a party without the people, said organizers of the Starty Party, gathering a crowd of startup veterans, early stage founders, investors and community leaders Wednesday for a one-night celebration of innovation — set against the backdrop of homegrown music and vibes. “This is amazing,” said Melissa Vincent, CEO of Pipeline Entrepreneurs, from the Starty…
KC preps for World Cup all-nighter, taste testing 23-hour drinking window for summer games
Entrepreneurs want to tap into all the potential business they can when an estimated 650,000 visitors descend on Kansas City for the World Cup, said Jim Ready, detailing plans for a temporary expansion of alcohol sales in KCMO to accommodate a global audience in June and July 2026. The move is more of a stress…
Kauffman narrows Uncommon Leader contenders to five finalists from community orgs
Kansas City leaders advancing toward the Kauffman Foundation’s high-profile impact award all demonstrate bold, creative, and inclusive leadership, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, announcing five finalists for the inaugural honor. “Each of these leaders reminds us that one person can make a difference, and that compassion and dedication can change the lives of the people we…
KC-built app locks down vulnerable users’ data before they can share it with online scammers
He’s a startup founder today, but a protective brother first, said Danny Moran, describing how his sister with special needs motivated the launch of an app to protect vulnerable people engaging in a digital world too often filled with bad actors. “She’s been scammed online multiple times over the past 10 years, causing significant financial…