Meet Luz Pericchi | Luzmakitchen’s owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luz Pericchi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luz, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always been in love with the kitchen and how it allows me to express my creativity. Perhaps what I cherish most is creating dishes to share as gifts with friends and loved ones. I enjoy the process of anticipating what the recipient may like the most, that it leads me to create food that not only tastes good and looks amazing but is also beautifully wrapped. My goal is to focus on creating a joyful moment for consumers that will live on with them even after they eat whatever they selected from my menu. Therefore, the whole idea and sense of purpose of Luzmakitchen started as a company that provides an edible gift that everyone can enjoy.

What should our readers know about your business?
The road has not been easy, to say the least. A lot of long hours and stressful days planning, cooking, and preparing to ensure everything comes out perfect, from buying ingredients to delivery. Besides the hardships, the journey to grow Luzmakitchen has also been full of wonderful moments as well. There have been so many people (angels really) that have helped me along the way. like Oscar from @Churrascotogo, who was my mentor during the permit process, help me to get into the Farmers Markets, and he is always there to give good advice, or our friends that lent me his house to introduce to a large group of people my food and so many others along the way. I have always been very comfortable in the kitchen but lacked experience selling, tracking bills, taxes, social media, permits, inspectors, and many other things I could not imagine when Luzmakitchen began. Looking back and reflecting on those hardships has made me grateful for my support team and given me the confidence that I am stronger than I ever imagined. Luzmakitchen opened 6 years ago in Houston, selling at several farmers’ markets and events. As soon as we starting to really grow, unexpected events caused us to relocate to California. We basically had to start over, the permit process took longer than expected and we had set back after set back. Once we were ready to start selling in California, my husband was relocated, and we got the good news to move back to Houston. The process of starting for the third time has been slow, we don’t have our brick and mortar and the pandemic, which I pray and believe will end soon, has not helped Luzmakitchen. I am sure that through my willpower and the support of friends and family, my dream of opening a healthy food store will become reality shortly. I want to let the world know that everything Luzmakitchen does is with love, a love that you can feel when you gift some of our products or when you try them. I am trying to express who I am through my food, a mix of the Spanish, Italian, and Venezuelan cultures I grew up with.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start around downtown Houston, visiting Discovery Green, Minute Maid Park, the Theater District, Sam Houston Park, and City Hall. Next, we would hop on the University of Houston train to NRG Stadium and back, stopping and visiting the Medical center, Herman Park, and the museums (on a Thursday of course) and Midtown. I would even take them to Buffalo Bayou and ride or hike the trails… this probably takes longer than a day!! On another day, we would visit The Menil Collection and its surroundings, and Memorial park along with the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. We would definitely walk Post Oak Blvd, the Galleria, and to the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall park to end up grabbing a bite at any of the restaurants around Westheimer and Wesleyan. On the last day, I would take them to Galveston, driving by Hwy 8 over the Buffalo Bayou Bridge and stopping at the Port of Houston and continue to visit Kemah and the Space Center of Houston. While in Galveston, I’d take them to visit the Bishop’s Palace and its surroundings, Galveston Pleasure Pier, and completing the day watching the dolphins while crossing on the ferry.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am surrounded by wonderful people all of which have supported me along this journey that has been Luzmakitchen. Since the first day this concept sprouted, my husband has been the linchpin and has pushed me to become the person I am today.

Website: luzmakitchen.com

Instagram: @Luzmakitchen

Facebook: Luzmakitchen