• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
My Big Fat Cuban Family

My Big Fat Cuban Family

Recipes · Blog · Shop

  • Meet Marta
    • Media Mentions
  • Lifestyle
    • Cuban-American Life
    • My Big, Fat, Cuban Family
  • Entertainment
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Television
    • Concerts
    • Books
    • Theatre
  • Celebrate
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Cuban Christmas
    • Mother’s Day
    • Movie Nights
    • Summer Nights
  • Recipes
    • Cuban Recipes With Pictures
    • Family Favorites
    • My Cook Book
  • Shop
    • Cuban Foods Poster
    • Cuban T-Shirts
    • Costa Rican Foods Poster
    • Honduran Foods Poster
    • Puerto Rican Foods Poster
    • Salvadoran Foods Poster
    • Scottish Foods Poster
    • Customize Your Own
    • Cuban Goodies In Your Mailbox
  • Contact
    • Advertise
  • Archives

So accidentally cool . . .

October 30, 2008 By Marta Darby 8 Comments

Yes, of course it's me, Kikita. Who else would be accidental in their coolness? =D

Now that I've turned 25, I swear something is different about me. I spent 25 years saying, "This is not my real life," because my life really is a novela and I always find myself in "movie-like" situations (Meaning: "If I saw this in a movie, I would not believe it could happen in real life"), but I have finally come to terms with this and now embrace my novela/movie-like life.

So when a girlfriend of mine who lives in L.A. calls and invites me to go wine tasting with her on a Tuesday evening, I didn't hesitate.

A few disclaimers: I am really not that into wine and have never been interested in "going wine tasting." The only reason I so readily agreed was because I rarely see this friend, and am still trying to get to know her better, and because I did not mind the activity so long as I could enjoy her fabulous company.

So she emailed me a link to the event and said all I had to do was buy my ticket and meet her there. Fair enough. I got the link and was buying my ticket when I found that this event I was going to was a fundraiser for Women's Cancer Research. AND it was Argentinian wines so you know what that means . . . there will be Argentinos there!

Wine tasting

As I pulled into the parking lot of the Skirball Cultural Center I was already starting to feel very cool . . .

I mean, I was at a fundraiser. In L.A.  Tasting wine.   Does it get any cooler than that?

I must confess, I had NO IDEA what I was doing. And when my friend called to tell me she was running late I was TOTALLY freaked out.
I kept wondering, "Where is that confidence I'm so known for?"
The answer I gave myself was, "I'm surrounded by wine and I'm a cute blond so how hard could this be?"
Let me tell you, it was not hard at all.

I started by walking by each table and just people watching. It was fascinating. Finally I started tasting. I know I didn't do it right, but I had been watching, not everyone was doing the "swirl and smell" technique so I elected not to. I would let people explain things to me that meant nothing to my world . . . like how this one was aged in oak barrels and this one was in steel and this has a fuller body while this was . . . it all became a blur.

Until I found The Empanada Man. He brought three kinds of empanadas with him: pollo, carne, & espinaca (chicken, beef, & spinach). As I had with the wine, I started slowly.

Just one empanada de pollo please.

Ahora una de carne por favor.

Otra de pollo . . . (I couldn't help it, they were DELICIOUS!)

When my friend finally arrived and it was like starting the whole evening over again, but this time I had a pro by my side so I learned so much more! And then I told her about my favorite table – The Empanada Man.

THIS time he introduced himself and then said, "Eres Cubana, verdad?"

We were surrounded by Argentinos, so HOW DID HE KNOW?!?!

Did I really care how he knew? Not at all.  All that mattered was that a non-Cuban at a non-Cuban event actually thought I was Cuban (instead of just some blond girl who could speak Spanish).

GLOWING, I told him he was right.

I was a Cuban at an Argentinian Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Women's Cancer Programs in LA.

If you saw that in a movie, would you believe it?

Amy's cute face

I feel SO accidentally cool.

You might also like:

My (Accidentally Cool) NYC Foodie Tour How my mom’s activities when she was young are affecting my life today Cuban-American Pride Reading in the 21st Century – A Very Cool Giveaway

Filed Under: Food and Drink, Lifestyle Tagged With: Amy (Kikita)’s Posts, Amy Kikita Hohneker, Amy's Posts

Previous Post: « “blog hijackery” (noun)
Next Post: Where you won’t find me on Halloween… »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ody from Miami Lakes says

    October 30, 2008 at 9:25 am

    You are so cool Kikita!!!!! And you did better than I did. My first wine tasting experience was on a cruise and we didn’t know we had to spit the wine out!!! LOL!!!! Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty sight. I thought, how bad can this be, they only require you to take a sip. Yea right, after 20 sips, and then finding out why the bowl is in the middle of the table, we got up and walked away very slowly. LOL!!!!Glad you enjoyed your friend, wine and empanadas!!!!

    Reply
  2. George says

    October 30, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Kikita, tu eres pura Cubanita!Hey, how is that Empanada place in Lake Forest?…Any good?

    Reply
  3. Kikita says

    October 30, 2008 at 4:45 pm

    George,Gracias! As much as I loved the empanadas, they were on the spicier side because of the whole Argentinian thing. Since Mami hasn’t posted a recipe for them yet, you should definitely try the place. =D
    Does that help?

    Reply
  4. George says

    October 30, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    Thanks Kikita. I will try it one day. You know how the OC is … Too many chain restaurants like El Pollo Loco, etc. L.A. is a lot better when it comes to food diversity. So, a unique place like the Argentinian Empenada place in the OC piques my interests.

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth Gonzalez Prouty says

    October 30, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    Hey there-Ironically enough, I just sent your mama an e-mail yesterday about wearing the apron I won to make Cuban Food and Argentine Empanadas (yes, on the same day). And they weren’t at all spicy and I made them with ground turkey…so so yummy. I can give you the recipe if you’d like.

    Reply
  6. Kikita says

    October 31, 2008 at 1:06 am

    Elizabeth,Are you kidding!?! THAT is so accidentally cool!
    I would love the recipe!
    [email protected]
    Or you can just send it to Mami and I can have her pass it on. 🙂
    Thank you!
    George,
    I know what you mean. Did you ever try the empanada place that was at The Block a while back? I always meant to and then it wasn’t there anymore . . .

    Reply
  7. George says

    October 31, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    The emplanada place at the Block … I don’t think so.Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask, what is Cucafate?…I saw it in one of your videos. What does it mean?…Is it a Cuban thing?

    Reply
  8. Kikita says

    October 31, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    George,That’s not important right now. 😉
    Actually, I can’t believe we haven’t told the story yet. I will work on posting the explanation soon. =D

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

TRY SUPER SMOOTH CAFE LA LLAVE ESPRESSO

Cafe La Llave

My Cuban T-Shirt Designs

“Cuban T-Shirts

Subscribe to MBFCF Newsletter!

Never miss a post! Sign up with your email address to receive recipes, news and updates right in your inbox!

Cuban Foods Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Coffee Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Desserts Poster

“Cuba poster - Cuban desserts subway art print

Get Snacking On California Strawberries!

California Strawberries

Most Recent Posts

  • Best Places That Will Ship Cuban Food To Your Door
    December 15, 2020
  • My Big Fat Cuban Family Christmas Gift Guide 2020
    December 3, 2020
  • My Needs Are Simple: The Verizon CareSmart Watch
    December 3, 2020
  • The Quest for Authentic Chimichurri – Cocina Knows
    November 30, 2020
  • Hogwarts Halloween
    October 30, 2020

Cuban Recipes Cookbook

Cuban recipes with pictures cookbook from My Big Fat Cuban Family

Abuela Mami

Abuela Mami Gifts

Cuban Food Market

Cuban Food Market

Follow Me on Instagram

mybigfatcubanfamily

My Big Fat Cuban Family Blog
Check out➡️ the newest addition to my shop. ☺️They make the BEST Christmas presents! 🎄🎁🎉

https://etsy.me/2VVscre

9x12 Personalized, handmade maple or walnut cutting boards.🥳
10% off through Dec 10th with code: 
CUTTINGBOARD10
(How clever is that?😁)
[shop link in profile]
De aquí p’al cielo! 
🙌🏼❤️🇨🇺

#ohthecubanity #martadarbydesigns #cubanfood #cuttingboard
Our Cuban motto should be: “Colamos 24/7” 🇨 Our Cuban motto should be: “Colamos 24/7” 🇨🇺☕️ 
Am I right? ✌🏼😎

#mybigfatcubanfamily @cafelallave #thedrinkofmypeople🇨🇺☕️ @havanabamacafe
I’m super excited to share with you My Big Fat C I’m super excited to share with you My Big Fat Cuban Family Christmas Gift Guide 2020 🇨🇺🎁🎅🏻 featuring all my favorite Cuban online shops. 🛍 Take a look around and make me proud. 👀 
Shop Cuban! 🇨🇺🎄❤️
You are the heart and soul of our Cubanity. 🇨🇺❤️🇺🇸

https://bit.ly/3qvrq2q

All the guide links in my story on my blog. Follow the link☝🏼in my profile. 

@marthaofmiami_shop
@lovelovegoose
@cafelallave
@havana78soaps
@guavettes_wonderland
@_ofpalmandpine
@havanabamacafe 
@albisacandles
@cassava_bath_and_body
@habanabrandclothing 
@santayanajwlrs
@pinpanpunco
@theartroomandcrafts
@peroletmetellyou
@porkchop_prints
@becaletters
@jennizzle
@lovelovegoose
@mybigfatcubanfamily 

#CubanGiftGuide #CubanChristmas 
#ohthecubanity
I’m kind of in love with my Verizon #CareSmart W I’m kind of in love with my Verizon #CareSmart Watch.🥰
Even if it’s reminding me to take my meds. (Shut up. I know.)😉

I wrote about all the features I love on my blog today.🤩❤️

https://bit.ly/3ofSjVU

(Story link☝🏼in profile)
.
#VerizonPartner

Promo from now thru 12/31: $50 off w/ purchase of any other smartphone #ad https://omm.media/CareSmart
Follow Marta on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Follow Marta On Social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

FEATURED POSTS

  • Best Places That Will Ship Cuban Food To Your Door
    December 15, 2020
  • My Big Fat Cuban Family Christmas Gift Guide 2020
    December 3, 2020
  • It’s Cuban Christmas Crema De Vie Time!
    December 7, 2017
  • My Big Fat Cuban Cooking Playlist
    November 21, 2016
  • Crema de Vie (Cuban Egg Nog) Recipe
    July 27, 2016

Blog Archives

Footer

Meet Marta

Marta Verdes Darby is a Cuban-American food blogger in South Orange County.

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up For My Newsletter

October 2008
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Sep   Nov »

Copyright © 2021 my big fat cuban family