Rosa's Journey to Rediscovering Home

The aging Mexican mother, Rosa, wakes up with the sun. She puts on her apron, takes her ingredients from the shelf, and heads to the kitchen to make her special empanadas. Her hands fold, twist and press the pieces of dough to fill them with the aroma of her delicious mix. She has done this routine every morning for thirty-five years. But this particular morning is different. Rosa is surprised with an unusual event when one of her empanadas comes to life. "Buenos días, madre," said the living empanada, bowing his head humbly. His face was full of energy though his doughy body was trembling. Rosa is stunned. "Hola, cómo te llamas?" she hesitates. "Emperor Basket of Brioche," he responds. She then becomes aware that he is more than just an empanada-- he was walking, talking and also had emotions. Rosa quickly adapts to this miracle. "Ven conmigo," she says, tucking Emperor Basket into her pocket. With the help of her pet cat Queen Fraise, they set off to make a home for Emperor Basket in the back of Rosa’s shop. Meanwhile, Rosa's child, Julieta, decides to move out of town and start a new life. Rosa is sad but decides to be brave and accept her child's choice. She remembers the words of her grandmother, who had died while Julieta was still small “Rosa, to have a home, you just have to make one. ” Rosa then realizes that Emperor Basket is her chance to experience what it means to have a home. She decides to create her own home, with her pet cat and her walking-talking empanada.

Rosa starts her new life with Emperor Basket who, at night, whispers stories about his homeland -- a place called La Tierra de Jamón. Every day Empress Fraise builds a pillow fort inside the kitchen for Emperor Basket. Although she accepted Julieta's decision to move out, Rosa notices that her house feels emptier than ever. To add to her sadness, the store wasn't doing well and it was starting to hurt her finances. Rosa had to start working extra hours, without enough time to spend with Emperor Basket. One day, when a customer came in, Rosa spent all her time helping him. But Emperor Basket noticed something suspicious about the man who was noticeably not checking for mail when he entered and left the store, and then noticed that part of the money from the register was missing. When Rosa arrived, she listened to Emperor Basket's report and took decisive action -admitting little Julieta who, having come back to help her, attended to the store while they investigated the situation. Rosa and Emperor Basket found out that it was a thief who was stealing money. Not wanting to establish a bad repuation, Rosa put an end to the investigation and quietly returned the money to the register. All this teamwork mended the bridge between mother and daughter over their shared worry and investigation, the kitchen emanating an atmosphere of warmth and care.

At this time, Rosa and her daughter Julieta realize just how important family is. With the addition of Emperor Basket to the household and their shared concern for the store, the distance between them decreases as they become a united family. During this heartwarming period, a close friend of Rosa overhears her stories of Emperor Basket and recommends that she should enter him for a cooking competition for the best intergalactic dish. Rimmed by a large award and the free advertising it would bring if they were to win, Rosa is motivated to join the competition. Emperor Basket however, does not want to join and tells her that the only place that he can call home is the kitchen where Rosa and Julieta opened their hearts for him. He argues that this journey doesn't follow his grandmother wishes of finding a home off La Tierra de Jamón. Meanwhile, a frustrated Julieta takes charge and decides to accompany Rosa and emperor Basket on their journey, to bravely reach their dream of winning the competition and show the world that a mother and daughter with a walking-talking empanada can make a home anywhere they make. Rosa agrees and they hit the road.

THE

When they arrive at the competition, the team finds it to be tougher than expected, having to face competition from pets and aliens alike. Everyone already seemed to have the best of appliances and advanced techniques. Even though the odds looked low for our team’s success, Rosa believed in them and always encouraged them before their performances. The night before the presentation, as Julieta leaned over to practice a few techniques, Emperor Basket burst in and declared he had the perfect dish ready for the next day. As the following day has arrived, Uli, Rosa and Emperor Basket take the stage and present their empanada. It's a mouthwatering treat filled to the brim with juicy ingredients, cooked to perfection and presented with a smile. To the surprise of the audience, an aroma filled the room and an unusual flavor sensation spread around. They had done it. The audience was amazed. It was a unanimous tie between the Emperor Basket and an alien from a vampire planet. As the judges discussed among themselves whether to split the prize, the audience cheered on for Emperor Basket’s victory - a homecoming of sorts. Rosa and Julieta were beaming with pride. Emperor Basket came up to Rosa, hugged her and thanked her for their journey together. In that moment, Rosa felt that family is much more than blood and bonds, it’s having someone in your corner, supporting and believing in you every step of the way. The audience intensely cheer for them to win the competition, proving once and for all that home wasn’t in a place but a feeling shared. And they did win. In the end, Rosa and her family return back home and continue to celebrate their unique bonds and acceptance. The kitchen still hovers with an atmosphere of warmth and care, but now with a sweet aftertaste of victory.