Chef Victoria Elizondo

Biography

Chef Victoria Elizondo started her business in 2016 with a pop-up set up outside of bars and coffee shops in Houston, TX. Her concept has evolved throughout the years but the dedication to serve vibrant Mexican food, remained.

The first attempt to opening a brick and mortar fell short due to Covid. While trying to figure out the next move, Elizondo pivoted to a direct to consumer line of packaged Mexican goods which quickly became a Farmers Market sensation and expanded to wholesale.

In 2022 the brick and mortar project was back in action and it officially opened in April of 2023. While running and at the same time learning about every position from marketing to accounting, Chef Victoria Elizondo published her first cookbook and earned a James Beard nomination.

Cochinita & co. is more than a counter service restaurant with colourful food and cozy decor. Elizondo has managed to create an applaud worthy community who not only frequent the restaurant for its delicious food but to help and support when needed. The patrons have found immigration attorneys for employees, donated clothes to refugee families, wrapped Christmas gifts for a local elementary, made impactful connections with those who needed them, and even decorated the restaurant with artisan gifts brought from Elizondo’s motherland.
She claims that there is still a long way to go but her successful trajectory while dealing with the disadvantages of being a DACA recipient has proven to be a source of inspiration to her community.