Meet Braunda Smith | Chef/Owner

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

Hi Braunda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I knew that I always wanted to be a business owner. I had ideas all over the place on what that might be. I believe you have to have an entrepreneurial spirit to be a business owner and add a dash of insanity to that to be a Food & Beverage business owner. My husband and I had been in the service industry and grown to the point we were busting at the seams to do our own project. We knew we wanted a female forward “barstauraunt” that was bar centric but also very chef driven. When we started the Lucy Cooper’s journey we decided together to really give the public something that isn’t really seen in the bar industry and that was to quote my sweet husband, “You are marketable honey!” In that moment Lucy was born and we put a name to the face of our company. What I wanted was a place that was for everyone and I think we did that well. To fully answer your question though, the thought process behind starting my own business was pretty straight forward. I wanted to be independent of the feeling of being under the corporate thumb. I wanted to offer a better environment for my employees. Getting everything together for the actual process of opening a business is challenging and I had made it my mission to help anyone wanting to get into business for themselves or are already in business and may not know how to navigate certain situations.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Southern girl with a heart of gold but, like most chefs I have a thick skin that’s tough as nails. In truth, although I play with Southern and Texas flavors, I find that I pull inspiration
from all over the world. I create dishes that are more than just food – they’re “dinner and a show.” Offerings such as my Tin Can Nachos and Boodreaux’s Clothesline Bacon (ridiculously thick-cut smoked
whiskey brown sugar candied bacon hung on a clothes line and served with a peach marmalade
dipping sauce), Chicken Fried Deviled Eggs, Pimento Cheese Stuffed Okra Poppers, Fried Green
Tomato BLT, Krispy Kreme Burger and Cooper’s Cluckers (chicken wings) tossed in my various cola BBQ sauces offer more than just a meal.
I think food in general can give us very nostalgic flavors and experiences that remind you of
moments spent at the movie theatre, ballpark or playing T-ball as a kid. Memories have smells. I
put my own twist on it, but what we’re giving you are those memories.
She grew up cooking in the kitchen with her family in Macon, Georgia and was wildly influenced by her family’s Cajun and Creole cuisine and that good ol’ traditional stick-to-your-bones Southern Cooking that we all know and love. I have been married to my husband Jesse for 15 years and we have six kids. When I was married to my “practice husband,” as I lovingly refer to him, being in the military, we traveled
the world and I began to explore the spectrum of the culinary arts.
It was during this time, while living in South Korea, that I started offering meal prep kits
for the pilots to heat and eat. Since most of the service members are there unaccompanied by
family, I felt my cooking gave them a slice of home.
I also spent her days cooking with my landlady, Mrs. Song. There may have been a bit of
a language barrier, but the love for food is universal. She taught me how to prepare traditional
Korean dishes and the art of her culture’s cuisine, and I taught her how to make my family’s
traditional Southern dishes, such as fried chicken, gumbo and red beans and rice.
Leaving Korea and moving to Hawaii gave me the opportunity to fully reignite her passion for
cooking, which laid the groundwork for the imminent Lucy Cooper’s Ice House.
Both my husband and I have worked in the culinary industry for years and years, having
graduated from what I call “bar university” or the school of hard knocks. The big moment
for me was seeing our five-year plan fast track to five months when we were unexpectedly
let go from the company where we had worked together for 10 years.
For me, having this dream of seeing the colors come to life on the walls and Lucy Cooper’s
developing her own personality has been such a blessing. This place just has a vibe. What is it? I
think it’s just an extension of that “aha” moment that we did it. The happiness and joy of all of
our hard work. I get to work every day side-by-side with my best friend. I think people feel the
happiness of our being happy and content. That being said, it’s also been the scariest thing I
have ever done. Here I am, just this little girl from Georgia competing with the big boys. It’s
exciting and every day it gets better and better.
As a result of the pandemic, I found a new passion, as that of a spokesperson for
independent bar owners in San Antonio. I’ve kind of become an accidental activist for our
industry. It’s a tough time right now for bars, and not all of them can easily pivot. How many
independent companies can realistically stay afloat after being forced to stay closed for months
on end? I feel an obligation to speak out on their behalf.
After months of businesses being shut down in San Antonio and Texas, with 30 percent of bars
being shuttered due to COVID, it’s been a humbling yet proud moment that they’ve managed
to survive and even thrive. We’re going to make it. God doesn’t give you anything you can’t
handle, but gosh, I wish he didn’t trust me so much! Folks come here to feed their
souls. Lucy Cooper’s isn’t just a restaurant and bar, it’s our livelihood – I eat sleep and breath
Lucy’s, and so do my kids. In fact, my 11-year-old daughter has also discovered a passion for
cooking, just like her momma. She even created her own burger that’s now on the menu and is
easily a crowd favorite. Lola’s Burger Melt is an open-faced patty melt served on Texas toast and smothered in pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, fried dill pickles and drizzled with Lola’s to-die-for signature sauce.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Making your way around the city is an absolute must! I would for sure say that my little Lucy’s is on the list! I love to eat and this city has the best of the best in my opinion! You must go to the Riverwalk! Do all that has to offer but venture on out to The Pearl and eat at Mi Roti in the food court! When you have made your way from there I also highly reccomend Rebelle for some crab legs and oysters. Feeling the vibe for some authentic Mexican food, Milpa @ The Yard is where we are going. The Missions are an absolute must as well. This city is a gem and there is just so much to do and see, it deserves multiple trips to see and eat your way through San Antonio.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout would defiantly have to go out to my hubby, Jesse! There is no way in the world that I could do any of this without him! He has been extremely humble and kind to see the value of our “Woman Owned Business”. Without his encouragement the idea of Lucy Cooper’s Ice House would have never come to life. His constant encouragement is always a breath of life in me when I need it the most, The food and beverage industry is tough enough let alone to own and operate a successful business. Jesse finds ways to drive and motivate me to be the absolute best in my craft and to not be afraid of anything. I have learned so much from him and everyday I look forward to the adventure we call life! I realize that it doesn’t work for everyone and a lot of people don’t understand us, but we are literally together twenty four hours a day. We are raising our family, growing an empire and doing it all hand in hand. There is no better strength to have than your best friend with you at all times cheering you on to be the best you that you can be! Thanks Babe!

Website: www.lucycoopers.com

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

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