Meet Martina Delaguti | Chef

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

Hi Martina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, the first thing that came to mind when I started Santa Maria Artisan Kitchen, was how to reach those that have been in this country for a long time and miss the great flavor of an authentic Mexican meal. The flavors that we remember when we were young and means that our mothers and grandmothers cooked. I don’t have the slightest doubt that a good meal like those from our Santa Maria Artisan Kitchen, can make us transport into those happy times of our lives that we think we had forgotten.

I am the mother of two young people; Daniela 25, and Patricio 19, and together with
my husband we started this project. We started from scratch in the midst of a
pandemic; it was living that uncertainty of everything that was happening in the world
and we decided to start planning weekly menus and doing deliveries.
We began promoting our menu with close friends, and then word started going around of how good our food was and we began to receive more and more orders and getting new clients.

We never let our guard down, because we know hard work and consistency is key to success. Tears of exhaustion and despair cost us, but something told us that we could not give up. We sacrificed weekends with family and friends, outings and parties as we had more and more work.

For my children it was very heavy, but at the end of the day they were proud of
everything they achieved. We always told them perseverance and discipline are what will lead to success and today they already believe in the full potential of Santa Maria
Artisan Kitchen. At this moment my children support me in other areas, and I see that they feel proud to be part of this family business that started as a small project.

My children have learned that whatever they decide to do with passion, love and dedication can be achieved!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe that the most important factor is the quality, dedication and care that we put into each of our dishes. We use high quality ingredients, we actually bring a lot of them from Mexico to continue the traditional way of preparing our dishes and offer a delicious dish. Another very important point is the care I take with each of our clients, we are always open to receive special requests, I am always open to customize orders. From preparing a child’s favorite quesadilla to having the same dish with different spice levels. It is something that I do with love and it fills me with joy knowing my clients are satisfied. This care for my clients has led me to develop a friendship with some of them and this is another blessing that Santa Maria has given me.

I can proudly say that we have amazing customers that keep coming back to us and for these three years that we’ve been in business they are the ones that push us to keep moving and not to give up. I feel encouraged when they let me know how much they like our dishes. It reminds me that I am doing the right thing. It is for those who have been loyal to us, the ones that place orders every weekend, the ones who order meals for each day of the week; that keeps me moving and I do not have time to even think about giving up!

I am passionate about being in front of the stoves cooking for my clients. I am excited to arrive at events and see my final work, set up the tables and see their satisfied faces when they are trying the food.

It makes me happy to see that my schedule is full of orders for the week. This reinforces my confidence that Santa Maria Artisan Kitchen has successfully gained the love and loyalty of our customers, who love a good dish of authentic flavorful Mexican food. Barriga llena corazon contento, meaning if the food is good and the customer is satisfied… their heart will be too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Grapevine so we would visit main street to have a good wine in one of its wineries and eat in any of the restaurants that are very good.

A boat ride on Grapevine Lake and end the day with some great cocktails and a delicious meal at Southlake’s Moxies

I would take them to visit The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and its surroundings, take a good pictures in Reunion Tower and going to take some beverages and snacks in some of the restaurants at Klyde Warren Park or a food truck.

Later we continue to Deep Ellum and eat a Texas barbecue at Pecan Lodge and for a good dessert go to Le Bon Temps.

Forth Worth Stockyards is a must to live the old west experience and to make it more memorable we would go there by train.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my husband, Oscar de la Paz, I have children, Daniela and Patricio, who have always been my driving force, those who have always believed in me. To my grandmother Imelda because it is thanks to her that I am passionate about cooking and she used to say that the best meetings are held around a kitchen and good food.

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