WHAT IS CAL-MEX?

Watch award-winning chef and culinary innovator Claudette Zepeda define her relationship with Hispanic-style cheeses from California and detail how Cal-Mex has emerged as one of the hottest trends in foodservice today.

Cal-Mex is a marriage of California cuisine and traditional Mexican cooking.

Cal-Mex cuisine incorporates fresh and seasonal ingredients traditionally found in the Golden State, such as lighter proteins and plant-forward dishes, with exciting new takes on Mexican regional dishes.

The key ingredients in bringing together these two culinary fares? Hispanic-style cheese and dairy products from California.

California is the nation’s largest producer of Hispanic-style cheeses, as producers from the Golden State offer 25 unique varieties, led by:

Queso Fresco
Quesadilla
Cotija
Oaxaca
Panela

These cheeses add authentic, fresh dairy flavor across multiple dayparts and provide chefs the versatility to craft original interpretations of classic Mexican cuisine, which is the essence of Cal-Mex.