Made with love

Marie’s Tortillas Frescas strives for quality, convenience

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 10/24/18

The aroma of fried dough filled the room as a woman, wearing an apron and hairnet, carefully sprinkled cinnamon and sugar over a fresh batch of homemade tortilla chips.

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Made with love

Marie’s Tortillas Frescas strives for quality, convenience

Posted

TORRINGTON – The aroma of fried dough filled the room as a woman, wearing an apron and hairnet, carefully sprinkled cinnamon and sugar over a fresh batch of homemade tortilla chips. She smiled while she worked, relaying stories of customers who have purchased her treats and said they ate the entire bag – around 48 chips – in one sitting.

Marie Koch, the cook in question and owner of Marie’s Tortillas Frescas in Torrington, grew up nearby, in Lyman, Neb.

“We moved up here when I was in the fifth grade,” she said. “I graduated from Torrington High School.”

Koch holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, and after 10 years in Minnesota, moved back to the area and got into nursing.

“I was a CNA (certified nursing assistant) for a little over 10 years. I found my passion in nursing, because I love to help people,” she said. “I didn’t really start cooking until I met my husband – I was, more or less, a workaholic.”

After Koch’s first son, Nicholas, was born, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom, which set off her cooking career. Koch also has a 13-month-old son, Jace.

“My motto is, ‘If I can’t take care of you, I can feed you,’” she said. “My mom tried to teach me how to make tortillas when I was younger, but I never wanted to learn. When I met (my husband) Nick, she taught me how.

“In fact, she tells me, ‘I never expected you to be doing what you’re doing now.’”

A trip to Illinois to visit her husband’s family inspired Koch to begin selling her tortillas.

“I made four dozen enchiladas, looked around, and his family was eating them up,” Koch said. “I said, ‘I think I can sell these.’”

Marie’s Tortillas Frescas officially began two years ago. As a member of the Goshen County Chamber of Commerce and vendor at the weekly Torrington Farmers’ Market, Koch has quickly grown her customer base.

“When I first started, I would make samples and go deliver them to the banks and the stores. I’ve taken them to the courthouse – just trying to get my name out there,” Koch said. “The place that really helped me grow my business is Valley Christian School – my son has gone there for the last three years … the employees would buy my tortillas.”

Without any distractions, Koch said she can make six dozen tortillas in an hour.

“I make the dough, mix it, work with it to get it to a good consistency,” she said. “Then I weigh my dough out and let it set for 30 minutes, then cook,” either on the oven or in the fryer, depending on whether she’s making tortillas or tortilla chips.

“I’m trying to build clientele, and work from home until I can afford something else,” Koch said. “I have these ideas …”

Her ideas include also offering corn tortillas, beef dishes (which requires a special license), supplying tortillas to area restaurants, and eventually, selling her specialties out of her very own food truck.

“When I was a nurse, I tried to take care of people the way I’d want to people take care of my loved ones,” Koch said. “Now, I’m making food I would want to eat.”

Koch takes orders Monday through Wednesday, and offers delivery or pickup on Fridays. A two-day notice is needed for large orders and special events. The menu includes flour tortillas, bean enchiladas, cheese enchiladas, or a combination of the two, and cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips. Gift certificates and customer loyalty cards are also available.

“I’m excited. I never thought I would be doing this,” Koch said. “As a mother, I know how busy it gets – I want to be a convenience for people.”

Follow Koch on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mariestortillasfrescas or call (307) 534-5121 to make an order.