She was strong in the fields and incredibly talented in the kitchen, as well as a gorgeous host. During the Hacienda’s celebrations she would greet and entertain guests with joy and elegance, spreading her contagious love for food.

Once, at a night gala, she fell in love with a young suitor and left her life in the Hacienda. Don Juvencio, saddened by her absence, did not eat for days as he found no flavour in the cooking of others. One night, someone dropped off a basket filled with delicious treats that, Don Juvencio immediately knew, could only have been cooked by her.

From that day on, a basket filled with Cornelia’s cooking was dropped off at Don Juvencio’s door step every night, feeding his soul and making her absence more tolerable.