When my friends Maria Isabel Torres Siller and Andrés Ramírez Ruiz from Tabletimes invited me to photograph their latest book, I knew I was stepping into something special. «Mi hijo dice que bailo en la cocina» is a heartfelt portrait of Pilar Figueras Morales, the mother of celebrated Mexican chef Enrique Olvera.

The book is a family love letter disguised as a cookbook: a beautiful compendium of biographical stories and 45 family recipes, passed down, adapted, and kept alive across generations. It’s about food, yes —but more than that— it’s about memory, legacy, and the warmth of those who came before us.

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to approach the photography with the same care and love they poured into the publication. Shot on Kodak Ultramax 400 with a 1999 Minolta Dynax 404si, I focused on capturing their natural processes and the book’s tactile richness: its lightweight soft paper, the texture of the print, and its beautiful typography. I tried to translate its emotional depth into something visual, hoping to echo the intimacy of the stories it holds.

Here is an excerpt from Enrique that moved me: “I reckon many other mothers could —and should— have the opportunity to publish their own cookbooks. Without a doubt, they are a fundamental part of every family’s legacy. Through them, we can understand our roots, our times, and the rhythms of nature. These books are far more than just texts and photographs —they are a part of who we are, a source of genuine smiles, and a gateway to journeys through space and memory [...].

Book available at www.tabletimes.es. Stories and recipes by Pilar Figueras Morales. Texts by Maria Isabel Torres Siller. Photography by Andrés Ramírez Ruiz. Family images from personal archive. Specification: 190 × 140 mm, 492 pages, Otabind and dust jacket. 1st edition, spring 2025, Spanish. A project developed in collaboration with Taller Enrique Olvera. Process and documentation by Alejandro Sanz Seguí. Films developed and scanned by Jacobo Biarnés Photo Studio. Thanks to Irem Nur Balkaya Sanz Seguí for the assistance.