Chiquis Grandma Cuisine Owner Says Love Is the Secret to Delicious Food

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Some say the secret to delicious food is all the love you put into it, and that’s the case for Chiquis Grandma Cuisine and Claudia Knight, owner of Chiquis Bakery.

Chiquis Grandma Cuisine is known for its fresh, high-quality baked goods and is found in two locations in El Paso.

KTSM.com features Hispanic business and community leaders in the greater El Paso area as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.

Chiquis Grandma Cuisine, located in East El Paso, focuses on wholesale products while Chiquis Bakery, located at El Paso International Airport, focuses on retail.

The company offers burritos, conchas, concha muffins, butter cookies, empanadas, mantecadas, croissants, danishes, breads and cakes, all made from scratch. Chiquis Bakery also offers locally made snacks and coffee.

Knight says the business was inspired by her mother, Ana Maria de Lourdes Dorantes de Izquierdo, who would motivate her children to cook with passion.

It’s safe to say that Knight’s mother, a Guadalajara native, had a passion for food and inspired Knight to start her own culinary business.

“My mother was very private, but now her face is all over the world,” Knight said.

In addition to the fresh produce, high-quality ingredients and cleanliness Knight strives for, his team at both locations is also important.

While all employees wear pink chef jackets while working in unison to complete daily tasks, Knight says it takes a special type of person to be part of the team. All employees at both locations are women who are dedicated to providing a high quality product and nothing less.

Knight’s daughter, Alejandra Acevedo, says her mother is someone she deeply admires.

“She always excelled in everything she did, thanks to her determination, patience and unwavering commitment to excellence. Like my late grandmother “Chiquis”, she has a unique ability to express her love through her cooking and baking, infusing everything she creates with a piece of her essence. My mother lights up the room with her presence, carrying on my grandmother’s legacy. She also believes that by supporting local businesses in our community, we help others achieve their dreams, fostering a sense of shared success and growth,” Acevedo said.

The company focuses on working with local suppliers, hence its phrase “Flavors Without Borders”.

Chiquis Grandma Cuisine has worked alongside UTEP, EPCC, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Summermoon, ESC Region 19, Allied States Cooperative, Wyndham Hotel and others.

The company has received several honors, including the 2023 Best of El Paso Awards and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Strive and Thrive Award at this year’s Dancing Backwards in High Heels event.

Knight was also chosen to be honored at the 10th annual Women of Distinction awards luncheon hosted by the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce in October.

“If I can thank you, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been incredible. We’ve had so much support,” Knight said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit KTSM 9 News.