‘Cook with a lot of love’ — and sharing her Brazilian food with Columbus area
Residents in the Columbus and Fort Benning area with a taste for something different might find their interests piqued with this Alabama-based food truck specializing in Brazilian cuisine.
Mariana Tobelem of Seale opened Tobelem’s Table about two years ago.
Around 2005, Tobelem came to the United States from Brazil for work experience and to learn English
“I was supposed to stay for four months,” she told the Ledger-Enquirer. “I ended up staying for three years.”
She went back home to Brazil after those three years, then returned to live in Orlando around 10 years ago with a student visa. Tobelem ended up getting married during her time in Florida and having kids, leading her to stay in the country.
Since moving back to the United States, she lived in Athens, Georgia, before her husband’s job prompted them to move to Alabama.
“He got a job offer in Eufaula,” she said. “But then he was like, ‘I think Eufaula is too small for you, so let’s get something closer to Columbus.’ That’s how we moved to Seale, Alabama.”
A passion for cooking
Tobelem always has loved cooking. She was born and raised in Brazil. Tobelem attended culinary school in Brazil and also took classes in New York.
Opening a food truck wasn’t always the plan.
To earn extra money while living in Athens, Tobelem devleloped and sold some of the dishes that now are on the Tobelem’s Table menu.
“People started really liking and enjoying my food,” she said.
When her family moved to Alabama, Tobelem didn’t have a job, so she considered opening a food truck. After securing a loan from a bank, she found the perfect trailer for sale back in her husband’s hometown of Orlando.
She got a truck and went to Orlando to pick it up — and Tobelem’s Table was born.
Columbus residents might see the Brazilian food truck more often at the Goetchius House, taking advantage of the foot traffic generated by Columbus Clingstones games.
The truck is at Fort Benning at least once a week, she said. It also travels to locations in Phenix City, Auburn, Opelika and Hamilton.
People interested in getting lunch from Tobelem’s Table may find her latest schedule of locations on social media.
“If it’s within a reasonable driving distance, we go because we love to serve people,” Tobelem said. “And it’s really exciting when people call you because they know about the food or someone recommends it.”
What’s special about Brazilian food?
Brazilian cuisine is not common in Columbus restaurants. Tobelem’s Table might be the only local business serving “just Brazilian”, she said. So she is happy to fill that gap.
“It’s good because there are a lot of Brazilians around here, and even Americans who have been to Brazil or are interested in trying a different cuisine,” she said.
One of her popular menu items is the feijoada, which is slow-cooked beans with smoked pork, served with rice, collard greens and farofa or ground yuca.
“It’s a very traditional dish in Brazil, especially on Saturdays or Sundays,” Tobelem said. “People eat that a lot.”
Coxinha is another popular Brazilian street food Tobelem offers. It is potato dough with chicken inside.
“In Brazil, it’s like a snack,” she said. “You can find it anywhere, anytime.”
However, in Brazil, they are bigger than what Tobelem sells from her truck. She makes them smaller so people at events easily can eat them with their hands.
Churros and acai bowls also are popular Tobelem menu items, she said.
Finding all the ingredients to keep her recipes authentic can be challenging, Tobelem said. She has worked harder to find quality ingredients, including cheese, yuca and acai.
“That’s why (the acai) is a little pricey,” Tobelem said. “It’s really hard to find, but it’s good acai.”
The best part about running the food truck is seeing people come back for more food, she said. This shows her customers are loving the food.
“It’s a passion,” Tobelem said, “and I cook with a lot of love.”
