Who I Am

I'm Helena Tercero-Stadthagen, Nicaraguan, married, with two daughters. I'm the No. 1 fan of family meals and lingering at the table afterward (what we call sobremesa). Practicality and organization define me.

Shortly after we emigrated to the United States from Chile, where we were living, because of my husband's work, with two little girls aged 2 and 3, we found ourselves facing a new country, new customs and a new reality.

We didn't know anyone in Florida and I had to find ways to socialize (I love a party). That's when I had the idea of throwing birthday parties and inviting all my daughters' classmates.

And from the party came the big opportunity: I prepared all the food for the parties, and the moms wondered whether I could cook for them (they didn't like cooking and didn't have the time).

Not long after, we traveled to my Nicaragua for a month's vacation, and when we got back I had to do the grocery shopping for the house (Eureka, I've got it!). At that moment I decided to get started, and I haven't stopped since.

It all started out being called “Comida saca de apuros” (“Food to the rescue”), but I wasn't sure about it, so my new Venezuelan friends were key in giving me the idea of naming it the way we do in Nicaragua, putting “la” before the name. Now it was “la helena,” and that's how Lalena's Food was born.

Believe in your dream and go for it… Don't worry about the cooking, I'll do it for you, so you have more time for what matters most.