Marcela Valladolid, 27, successfully tackles motherhood and a culinary career as a chef. Born in San Diego and raised in Mexico, she now teaches cooking classes to over 40 students in her Tijuana, Mexico home while also running a catering company. She graduated as a "Certified Cook" from the Los Angeles Culinary Institute and her training has taken her to Paris, where she graduated as a classical French pastry chef from the Ritz Escoffier Cooking School. A guest chef on the Food Network and a former food editor and recipe stylist for "Bon Appetit" Magazine, Marcela dreams of hosting her own cooking show. Married to her kindergarten sweetheart, they have a one-year-old boy.
1. Who convinced you to try out for the Apprentice?
My sister, Carina. She is my biggest inspiration and she is my biggest fan.
2. What did you quit/leave/sacrifice to join the Apprentice show?
I stopped my cooking classes, but more important and very painful was leaving my husband and 1 year old son.
3. Why do you want to work for Martha Stewart?
Because I have admired and followed her for the last ten years. Professionally she has accomplished everything I, or anybody else, can only dream of.
4. What have you learned from watching previous seasons of the Apprentice?
Speak only when spoken to in the conference room.
5. What's your definition of success?
Waking up every day and being absolutely passionate about what you're doing and making a lot of money doing it.
6. What is your favorite (famous) quote?
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog."
"Principles only mean something if you stand by them when they are not convenient."
[Courtesy of Apprentice TV on Yahoo]
(New York City, NY) Natural Foods Chef -- I will never ask anyone to do anything that I have not done or am not willing to do. My drive is unstoppable,and I never give up. Good enough is never good enough. 
(St. Petersburg, Fla.) Magazine Publisher-- Always be professional and never be afraid to ask for what you want. 
(Gilbertsville, PA ) Ad Executive -- I am a wealth of creative conceptual thinking... I have the raw materials, now I need a mentor. 
(Tijuana, Mexico) Cooking Instructor -- I am severely passionate about what I do. 
(Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA) Recent Law Graduate -- 
(Alexandria, VA ) Marketing Co. Owner -- I like to think that I share Martha’s drive, determination and entrepreneurial spirit. 
(Austin, TX) Attorney-- When it comes to my work product, my Martha quality is perfectionism. 
(Closter, NJ ) Fashion Co. Owner -- I am passionate, driven and will stop at nothing to succeed. --- Howie was fired for dropping the ball, not being on the ball and not being on-air filling the ball.
(Los Angeles, CA) Creative Director -- I do have an almost unnatural skill for organisation. -- Carrie was called out on for "Hide and Seek" as Charles called it. If things had gotten dramatic, Trump would have tossed her for a lack of loyalty... but it never really got that dramatic. (It never does). 
(Washington, DC ) Event Planner -- I’m blunt and I listen. I call things as I see them and I always have facts to back those statements up. -- Sarah was fired for a complete lack of leadership and focus on the task at hand. Silent brainstorming? Come on.
(Maplewood, MO) Internet Co. Owner -- My Martha quality is tenacity combined with 110% effort. 
(Los Angeles, CA) Prosecutor -- When I fulfill my purpose, achieve life balance, make my profession my passion, and make this world a better place, that is when I will be at my most successful. -- Jennifer was fired because she didn't, or couldn't, manage 
(Boston, MA) PR Consultant -- I’m driven and entrepreneurial, I’m willing to take risks, and I’ll readily make investments of time and money in things I believe in. -- 4 strikes, Dawn's out!
(Grosse Pointe, MI ) TV Newscaster -- I'm a perfectionist and a control freak. -- Shawn was fired for 3 simple reasons: 1. she guaranteed a win; 2. she didn't use her 
(Philadelphia, PA ) Interior Designer -- My Martha qualities include creativity, resourcefulness, attention to detail... a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. 
(New York City, NY) Creative Director -- I am not afraid to make mistakes. I fiercely believe in the projects I undertake. I work harder than anyone else in the room.
oh my god she is TO FINE
Posted by: Adrian | January 27, 2010 at 07:09 PM