Susana Trilling Obituary, Death Oaxaca, México – Oaxaca, México, mourns the loss of Susana Trilling, the visionary chef and founder of Seasons of My Heart Cooking School, who passed away recently. Renowned for her passion for Oaxacan cuisine, Trilling dedicated her life to preserving Mexico’s rich culinary heritage. Her death leaves a profound void, yet her legacy of authenticity, connection, and love for food endures across borders.
Trilling’s journey began in New York, where she honed her craft alongside mentors like Karen Blockman Carrier, who affectionately called her “Trixie.” She later moved to Oaxaca, establishing Seasons of My Heart in the 1990s. Through her cooking school, catering, and PBS series in 1999, she introduced countless people to Oaxacan flavors. Her work celebrated the land, people, and traditions, particularly the women cooks who inspired her. For many, she was the reason they first visited Oaxaca, long before its global fame.
Her kitchen served as a hub of culture and community. Trilling’s infectious laugh and warm smile lit up every gathering, while her insistence on authenticity shaped her teachings. Betsy McNair noted her pivotal role in the U.S. culinary scene, calling her a trailblazer. Similarly, Carrier praised her “culinary wizardry,” recalling decades of collaboration in New York and Oaxaca. Such tributes highlight her far reaching influence. Beyond her professional achievements, Trilling’s generosity touched lives.
She mentored aspiring chefs, shared stories, and built an extended family of students and friends. Meanwhile, her advocacy for traditional Oaxacan foodways elevated the region’s cuisine on the world stage. Though she is gone, Seasons of My Heart vows to carry her mission forward. Oaxaca and the global food community grieve together, reflecting on Trilling’s artistry and spirit. Her legacy lives on in every dish, lesson, and connection she fostered. For now, her laughter echoes in the hearts of those she inspired. Rest in peace, Susana.
