When Ricardo Muñoz Zurita, a former Continuing Education student and professional chef, invited his former instructor Marilyn Biggica to meet well-known TV personality and chef Martha Stewart, Biggica did not imagine she would possibly begin a new long-distance friendship. Stewart was in Mexico to help promote tourism. The Mexican government suggested various cultural and culinary locations for her visit, including a segment with the Mayor of Mexico City. Among other stops, Stewart agreed to film a food segment with Zurita at his restaurant Azul Condesa. When Zurita had confirmed the film date with Stewart, he wanted his former instructor to join him for the big event.

When filming concluded, Biggica took opportunity to have a delightful conversation with Stewart. Biggica introduced SDCCD and explained that Zurita attended classes for two years at Continuing Education, with Biggica as his instructor.

Zurita is the author of numerous cookbooks, and is the owner of five restaurants including Azul Condesa, in the fashionable Condesa section of Mexico City. Although Zurita’s fame has extended far beyond US borders, he is still connected to Continuing Education largely through the efforts of Biggica, who has already confirmed him as the professional chef to host San Diego Continuing Education Foundation’s annual Los Dos Chefs fundraising event in San Diego on March 23, 2012.

Supporting Zurita’s success and meeting Stewart were proud moments for Biggica who says it was not only meeting the superstar, but she now has wonderful memories of sincere conversation, admiring photos of Stewart’s granddaughter, and a verbal invitation from Stewart to visit her again in New York City.