April 8, 2005

Just love her cooking

By Donna H. Eliason
Staff writer

Retirement arrives April 29 for Rebecca Hernandez, a much-loved cook at the Evergreen Community Center on San Felipe Road.

Rebecca Hernandez

For five years, appreciative seniors have enjoyed her delicious noon meals. Because of Becky’s reputation for quality food and a friendly, caring personality, the Evergreen senior nutrition program has grown from serving about 40 people when Becky started to between 95 and l00 daily.

Becky, who was born in King City and raised in Hollister, learned to love cooking by watching her mom. This tiny 5-foot, 85-pound lady cooked on a wooden stove, saying it made everything taste better. She baked a week’s worth of bread at a time, canned fruits and vegetables and preferred home cooking to restaurant food.

As a divorced mom with three children, Becky needed a salary. “I wanted to work in a place where people cook,” she says.

She applied for a cooking position at both Berryessa and Evergreen Community Centers. When the employers asked about her experience, she replied, “I don’t have any formal training, but I think I can do it. I love cooking. Give me a chance.”

She decided to accept the first offer that came in. Evergreen seniors were the fortunate ones.

Becky says it’s hard to leave this job. “I just love the people. They tell me I’m like their mother by cooking good food for them.”

Gardening, travel plans
What’s ahead for this special lady? “I love flowers. I love working in my garden. After working at the community center, I’m just too tired when I come home.”

Not only will Becky garden, but also she’ll spend more time with her Bay Area family. She has two sons, one daughter and five grandchildren, with a new grandchild due in August.

Becky will still cook, but in smaller amounts for her family and friends. Travel is also part of her retirement plans. She wants to see more of San Francisco, to enjoy the shows in Las Vegas and Reno and to visit Acapulco. Even though her heritage is Hispanic, she has never been to Mexico.

Becky’s fans
The seniors who eat lunch at Evergreen Community Center had lots of wonderful things to say about Becky Hernandez and her food.

Virginia Olson credits a great extent of the program’s success to Becky because of the quality of her food.

Don Stripy agrees. “We’ve been eating here about three or four years. It’s been a fabulous experience. I’ve eaten at other senior centers, and there’s nothing that surpasses this one. This is a five-star place to eat.”

“People come from other senior centers for lunch because the food is so good,” adds Vivian Schroeder.

Shirley Rutgers volunteer efforts allowed her to work with Becky for more than two years. “She comes to work early without being paid and stays late to clean up. She is very conscientious, wanting the food to be perfect,” Rutgers says.

Many of the seniors note that Becky rarely fixes anything they don’t like, even those self-proclaimed finicky eaters.

Many quickly noted their favorites, particularly theme meals—beef stew, meatloaf, corned beef and cabbage—as well as food for those with special needs, such as diabetics.

As you might guess, these seniors feel there’s much more to Becky than good cooking.

Tess Milaca explained, “When I was a volunteer for the nutrition program, Becky was the first friendly person I met. She will be extremely missed. She always tries to do better.”

Alice and Gene Wagner added, “It’s nice coming to a place where the cook smiles and makes you feel welcome. She understands how to cook for the elderly. She lets us spice our own food.”

“Becky makes special food for people who can’t eat the regular food, like diabetics. She takes care of them,” added Gloria Motto.

Perhaps Rachel Rojas sums it up best. “She’s an open person, treating everyone the same. When she has time, she comes out and sits with the seniors. People pop into the kitchen just to say ‘hello’ to her. She puts lots of love into her cooking.”

Although Becky Hernandez will be sorely missed at the community center, she has touched many Evergreen seniors’ lives and will not be forgotten.

Here’s one of Becky’s favorite recipes:

Chili Verde
Recipe by Rebecca Hernandez

3 pounds of pork
l large onion cut up
l can of diced tomatoes (l5 ounce can)
2 large garlic cloves cut up
3 jalapeno peppers cut up
5 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
l/2 cup flour

Cut pork into small pieces. Cook pork in skillet over medium heat until brown. Add onions. Stir in flour and mix for 5 minutes. Add water, salt, garlic, and tomatoes. Cook for 35 minutes on low heat. Add jalapeno peppers and cook for 5 minutes more. Serve with Spanish rice and beans.