-By Joseph Tarnowski

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Supervalu-owned Albertsons will host Latina celebrity chef Gina Pacheco at five of its Southern California store locations.

Pacheco will demonstrate Latin American-inspired recipes such as Medallones de Filete de Res con Mantequilla de Cilantro y Chipotle (Beef Medallions with Chipotle and Cilantro Butter) as well as share some of her expert cooking secrets with consumers. Her bilingual cooking demonstrations will be held between 12 noon and 4 p.m. at five California Albertsons stores over three weekends, beginning Saturday, Sept. 26.

Albertsons will conclude the celebration with a two-hour celebrity cook-off featuring KBUE radio personalities “Don Cheto” and “La Socia” Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Downey Albertsons.

Consumers are invited to join the cook-off team by faxing/e-mailing their favorite recipe that includes Albertsons products. Before the event, Don Cheto and La Socia will each announce the names of the contestants live on their radio shows, who will join them as they compete to create the best-tasting recipe. Prizes will be awarded on site to the participants.

Albertsons operates 503 Albertsons and Lucky supermarkets in Idaho, Montana, Southern California, Southern Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.