Teresa Padilla: Last News

Taqueria Xochi“When you go to Mexico City — that’s where I’m from — you have taco stands in the street, so you’re eating outside, standing up — which is kind of the idea of what we wanted to do here,” says Geraldine Mendoza, the director of operations at Taqueria Xochi, U Street’s hip new carryout spot. The authentic Mexican street food concept is a dream come true for Chef Teresa Padilla, who enlisted Mendoza’s help in launching the business after being furloughed during the pandemic.

Food & Friends will honor eight local frontline workers at its “Honoring Our Heroes” gala, which will be held on June 13 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington’s Mount Vernon Square neighborhood. The eight award recipients – whose ranks include doctors, nurses, firefighters, chefs, teachers, and other community leaders – are being celebrated for their work and commitment to keeping the Washington Metro area safe and operational during the darkest days of the pandemic.The honorees are: Chief Oluwafunmike Omasere, the Battalion Chief of DC Fire and EMS; Chefs Teresa Padilla and Geraldine Mendoza, the co-founders of Taqueria Xochi; Dominique Foster, the 2022 D.C. Teacher of the Year and a community organizer at Friendship Public Charter School; Alvin Chen and Jeffrey Naber, two volunteers with Food & Friends; Reba Miller, an ICU nurse at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital; and Dr.