Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ramos.
Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in El Paso, TX and currently live in Houston, TX . My abuela’s (grandma’s) love of cooking has inspired me to start this small business. I moved to Houston not long ago and coming from a family who traditionally gathers around mealtimes, I missed it terribly. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my abuela making shredded pork tamales.
I spent days before the holidays to help my abuela in making dozens and dozens of tamales. I have no memory of the first time I ate my abuela’s tamales. As far back as I can recall, they have always been a main dish in my family. It brings all of us together around the table. I knew from the beginning I needed her to be a part of this journey with me. Though being miles apart, naming my business after Lucia Romero, Lucy’s Tamales, my abuela will always be close. My abuela is an amazing traditional Mexican cook. She does not make her tamales from any written recipes. She goes by the taste and feel as she prepares her masterpiece of tamales. The tamales I make are my abuela’s recipe. This journey inspires me to share the memorable moments spent in la cocina with family and friends.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Lucy’s Tamales is extremely new and I don’t have it all figured out. I know there is still so much to learn but this is a product of stepping out of my comfort zone.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a professional background that is totally opposite. I’ve been working for last four years as a laboratory technician for an oil and gas company. Making tamales started off as a hobby and has grown into a business. The tamales are homemade from grandmas’ recipe, made with fresh ingredients. Being homemade means I start from scratch with all the ingredients, measuring, mixing, and packaging, all done from my small apartment kitchen. My tamales are known for their freshness and flavor wrapped in corn husk.
At work, my coworkers stumbled across my tamales in the fridge and have been hooked ever since. I love being able to provide them a fresh and yummy air to their memorable moments around their family table. Lucy’s Tamales is a deep dive into my abuela’s family tradition and knowing the origin of the ingredients that are used to prepare the tamales that you crave each time.
The support of my family is my proudest moment through this journey. From the moment I showed interest beyond a hobby, they were willing to help me along the way. Some people are afraid to take on the risk and step out of their comfort zones. I have taken the challenge and gone for the thing I love the most, cooking.
How do you think about luck?
Hard work has a significant role in my life and business. My grandma has always shown me with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. I consider her my lucky charm.
Pricing:
- 6 for $8.00 pork & green chiles with cheese tamales
- 12 for $15.00 pork & green chiles with cheese tamales
Contact Info:
- Email: jennifer@lucystamales.com
- Instagram: lucystamales
