BALTIMORE — It’s Artscape Week and the festival is a collection of art for eyes and buds.
Dozens of vendors will fill the streets of Baltimore and your stomach.
When it comes to making magic or art in the kitchen, Elisa Milan says that the first element is love.
“But we definitely have sazón, adobo and sofrito,” said Milan, the owner of The Empanada Lady. “We cook everything slowly so that all the flavors combine and everything falls in love well. “
The Puerto Rican and Baltimore local is known as the “Lady of the Empanada. ”
She makes artisanal empanadas (authentically called pastelillo) that began as a basic family recipe, inherited from Milan’s grandmother, or “mama,” as her relatives called her.
Some of Milan’s earliest memories were sitting at a table in Mom’s kitchen with her circle of family. With her feet lightly touching the ground, she rolled pastries, practicing techniques passed down in her family for generations.
Years later, she to check her luck.
“Someone bet me that I couldn’t make money promoting food,” Milan told WJZ. “I bought my grandmother’s empanada recipe, I ran out, I complied and I knew I was in the game. ”
It was then that he created “Las Empanadas de Elisa” which would later become his restaurant called “La Dama de las Empanadas”.
“Hard work, my ancestors, the love I put into what I do is the goal,” Milan said.
That’s why he also cooks as he does and will do at Artscape.
“I grew up in Baltimore and I would go to an event,” Milan said. “So I never imagined being a salesperson and participating in the experience. ”
Artscape mixes food and art vendors from across the region, cultures, flavors, and ideas.
“Here we have some very strong young black vendors who want to show off,” said Naomi Diggs, owner of Siama Juice Bar.
Siama Juice Bar is one of Artscape’s latest suppliers.
Diggs making colorful and a laugh juices for his Bible examine organization and his mother.
“My mother had breast cancer,” Diggs said. “She has survived breast cancer for 10 years. He’s made a lot of juice, so we’re doing a lot. “
The 23-year-old creates non-alcoholic drinks with a twist so everyone can have a fun drink.
“We started this last year. I was 22,” Diggs said. “So being able to. . . be there and it’s funny being one of the younger vendors and saying, ‘Okay, where’s the owner?’ I’m like, ‘I’m right here. ‘”
Two marketers among dozens of people who can share their love of creating art for the soul and belly.
“You do it smart, you’re smart and I just try to evolve in that spirit in any and all ways, both personally and professionally,” Milan said.