World Series Game 3 First Pitch by Local Jewish Couple
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World Series Game 3 First Pitch by Local Jewish Couple

Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz, owners of La Bodega Atl, teamed up with Mastercard to throw out the ceremonial pitch.

By Robyn Spizman Gerson November 1, 2021, 7:07 am Edit

Robyn Spizman Gerson is a New York Times best-selling author of many books, including “When Words Matter Most.” She is also a communications professional and well-known media personality, having appeared often locally on “Atlanta and Company” and nationally on NBC’s “Today” show. For more information go to www.robynspizman.com.

  • Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.
    Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.
  • ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Mastercard Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest winners throw out the Sponsorship ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2021 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
    ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Mastercard Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest winners throw out the Sponsorship ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2021 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
  • Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.
    Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.
  • La Bodega Atlanta is located at the MET in Adair Park, minutes from the Mercedes Benz Stadium.
    La Bodega Atlanta is located at the MET in Adair Park, minutes from the Mercedes Benz Stadium.
  • Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.
    Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.
  • Pupusas are a handheld tortilla that are stuffed.
    Pupusas are a handheld tortilla that are stuffed.

Baseball fans who tuned in to Game 3 of the World Series may have noticed some familiar faces on the mound. Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz, the owners of restaurant La Bodega in Atlanta, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The couple won a $10,000 prize in Mastercard’s Home Team Advantage Contest after figuring out a way to freeze their famous pupusas and ship them directly to customers. The Katzes and two other small business owners won the chance to throw out the first pitch thanks to the latest partnership between MLB and Mastercard.

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 29: Mastercard Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest winners throw out the Sponsorship ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2021 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Ken Katz came to Atlanta 35 years ago from New York City to study economics at Emory University. He met Jeanette while furthering his interests and food service skills in San Francisco, where Jeannette also lived at the time. Originally from San Salvador, she and Ken bonded over their love of Salvadorean food, teaming up to create La Bodega, a restaurant located in Adair Park at the historic MET in southwest Atlanta.

“We applied for a program run by Mastercard and were chosen as finalists,” Ken said. “Originally it was for us to go to a game wherever it was and then at the event we’d throw out the first pitch. In our application, we showcased our pupusa, which is a delicious gluten-free corn tortilla, with plans to take it online and sell them throughout the country. DoorDash delivers it locally, and we sell them at local farmers markets as far north as the Peachtree Farmers Market. Our pitch included our goal to make the pupusa popular, so we were thrilled to be selected.”

Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.

Ken is something of a pupusa evangelist. “The pupusa has a cheese pull like pizza … We will be debuting them on QVC next year and demonstrating it as a gluten-free option as well as a vegan and meat-friendly option. That pitch won the contest, and the ball will be pitched by my wife Jeannette on behalf of small businesses and La Bodega.”

According to Cheryl Guerin of Mastercard, the couple was “selected in honor of small businesses across America who have adapted and overcome the challenges of the pandemic. While small businesses had to contend with extreme challenges throughout the pandemic, they demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in the process. Each small business owner was selected as their city’s winner in the Mastercard Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest, which was launched during this year’s All-Star Game to help businesses grow and thrive. Each winner received a grand prize of $10,000, one-on-one mentorship from Mastercard small business experts and a Mastercard Digital Doors toolkit, plus other prizes such as hosting opportunities and customized stadium signage in each business’s local market thanks to the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.”

Pupusas are handheld tortillas that are stuffed.

The Katzes celebrate their respective cultures. Last winter, they teamed up for a podcast they call “Kosher Guacamole.” Ken elaborated, “We are Jewish and Latin and there was a synergy of something that’s recognizable to Latins and Jews. La Bodega is doing pretty well and the last two years, we have pivoted to create this pupusa-focused project, which is what we built our pitch to Mastercard around. Pupusas are a handheld tortilla that we stuff, and we can cook one at a time or a batch. It’s great for parents at home who are cooking quick meals but want healthy ones as well and it’s also a vegetarian choice. Vegans love it and our first location was near Georgia State University, then at Adair Park in the Met, just four minutes south of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”

“Jeannette had the honor of throwing the ball out, and we’re lucky and excited that we got to do this at home,” Ken said. “Mastercard has been terrific and we’re getting access to Digital Doors to help to get the product online. We’ll be ready for the larger launch of our product with their help. Jeannette is excited and the weekend has been crazy. We’re feeling celebrity-like and wearing our branded t-shirts and a Mastercard jacket as well. We wanted a win since it’s a tough fight over the weekend with the pitchers getting hurt.”

La Bodega Market and the Pupuseria are already a big hit, bringing zesty flavors to Atlanta. Hungry locals can bite into savory Salvadorian inspired pupusas, Mexican-style tacos, pizza with New York and Latin influences, and more served daily. Visit their website, LaBodegaAtl.com or follow them on Instagram at Labodega.atl.

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