My late mother, Nancy Whalen Robert, used to tell me that I was born three days late and I've been late ever since.

With that thought in mind, I am late — but I am sincere — in offering congratulations to Marla Ortega of the Illium Café on Broadway in Troy.

In case you didn't hear, Marla won $18,000 for her culinary talents and grocery shopping skills on the Food Network's "Guy’s Grocery Games," hosted by TV personality Guy Fieri. Four chef moms went head-to-head on national television in a special Mother’s Day episode of the game show for the chance to win a maximum of $20,000.

The Ilium is one of the many fine restaurants Troy has to offer diners. I love going there for lunch; Marla has a knack for making the ordinary into the extraordinary by adding the nicest touches to her meals.

For the complete account on Marla's accomplishment, read reporter Lauren Halligan's story at http://bit.ly/1g3SSO9

Also, check out the rebroadcast of the competition on the Food Network at 7 p.m. Saturday, May. 17.