Hispanic Heritage Month: Chiquis Grandma Cuisine owner says love is secret to delicious food

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

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

KTSM.com is profiling Hispanic business and community leaders in the greater El Paso region as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

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

The business offers burritos, conchas, muffin conchas, butter biscuits, empanadas, mantecadas, croissants, danishes, bread, and cakes, all made from scratch. Chiquis Bakery also offers snacks made locally 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, who was from Guadalajara, had a passion for food and inspired Knight to establish her own culinary business.

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

Aside from the fresh produce, high-quality ingredients, and cleanliness Knight strives for, her team at both locations is also important.

With all employees wearing pink chef jackets while working in unison to complete daily tasks, Knight says it takes a special kind of person to be a 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 mom is someone she deeply admires.

“She has always excelled at anything she set her mind to, thanks to her determination, patience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Like my late grandma ‘Chiquis,’ she has a unique ability to express love through her cooking and baking, infusing everything she creates with a piece of her essence. My mom lights up the room with her presence, carrying forward my grandma’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 business focuses on working with local vendors, hence their phrase “Flavors without borders.”

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

The business has received several recognitions, including the Best of El Paso Awards 2023 and the Strive and Thrive Award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during the Dancing Backwards in High Heels event this year.

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 this October.

“If I can say thank you, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been amazing. We have gotten so much support,” Knight said.

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