Meet Anamaris Cousins Price | Chef & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anamaris Cousins Price and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anamaris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Bringing people together around food. That was my main thought when I started imagining Secreto. I kept remembering the elaborate dinner parties my mom would put together and thinking about how much fun she had with it and how much joy it brought to those invited and I wanted to feel the same and help others feel that joy too.

My first pop up was in 2014 and the tagline I was using back then was ‘bringing the dinner party back!’ It still is part of my thought-process; a desire to help my guests slow down, relax and eat amazing food and really enjoy their time with loved ones. Bonus point: no need to worry about any of the stressful parts–planning, shopping, cooking and CLEANING! When I help a host entertain, I take care of the stressful bits and all they have to do is invite their guests and enjoy their event.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I don’t always feel comfortable describing my cooking as an art, but it is definitely creative. After moving to Houston from Panama (Central America), I was longing for the connection that seemed to come naturally to our way of living. I was also missing the foods and recipes I grew up eating, so I started a cooking blog, Chef It Yourself. I focused on sharing ingredients/dishes that were not commonly found in TX or recreating traditional dishes utilizing ingredients that were popular in Latin cuisine. This was fun and really allowed my creativity to come into play. I was, still am, obsessed with chef cooking shows and cookbooks, they fed my need to push my skills and continue discovering flavor combinations.

Blogging, as it turns out, became a job. The time and effort needed to create a post was overwhelming as I tried to keep up with a full time position. It also didn’t satisfy my need for interaction; yeah, I had regular readers who left encouraging comments, but there’s something about that one-to-one face-to-face interaction that just can’t be replaced. Once I understood I also needed that immediate gratification, the wheels started churning until Secreto was born.

It all started in a tiny dining room in my old condo. I would create a menu, post it online and guest would get tickets and the address to join me for a 5 course dinner. I met a lot of really lovely people and stay in touch with many of them. Most of the challenges I faced at the beginning were from my own creation; sometimes insecurity others lack of time.

I am still learning how to get out of my own way and since making Secreto a formal business in 2020, I’ve managed to stay on my toes and pivot when needed, pause when called for and slowly push forward as my confidence grows.

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 live in Houston, there’s no lack of things to do! We would definitely hit the museum district and, as long as it isn’t the middle of summer, we would walk around and check out all the outdoor art pieces we have in that area, as well as downtown. We would have to go to The Post, because it is just too cool to pass up, check out the food hall, then hangout on the ‘rooftop’ to take in the skyline. Go bar and restaurant hopping in EaDo and spend an entire weekend discovering my new neighborhood, The Heights. We would hit all the little shops, eat ice cream, find quirky spots for lunch, then take a break, change and hit some more bars & restaurants in the evening.

We would make a day trip to the hill country if the bluebonnets were in season, maybe going all the way to San Antonio, just to have my favorite burger!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely start with my parents, as well as my extended family: grandmother and aunts. I get my innovation and work ethic from both my parents and my cooking instincts must be in my genes, because all the women in my family are amazing cooks!

There have also been a number of people throughout my professional life who have believed in me, mentored, encouraged and taught me so much about being a professional, taking chances and owning both the greatness and the challenges.

Website: www.secretopopup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretopopup/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/secretopopup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecretoPopUp

Image Credits
Jessica McIntosh Anamaris Cousins Price