Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Zuber.
Hi Catherine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for food and hospitality started a long time ago. Laced within our family, the love that we have for coming together to share a meal with others is abundant. By the end of my high school career, I became very partial to cooking and baking. Throughout college, I continued cooking and started to host friends and family gatherings. I took different jobs throughout college in the hospitality industry; serving, bartending, and working through various internships at Forbes four-star establishments. This really secured my love for restaurants, and from there I chose to fully pursue them as my life career. I changed my major to hospitality management and received a minor in business at Auburn University, and I have never looked back. Upon graduation, I received a management position at a Chef-owned restaurant in Napa, California. I spent four years in Napa learning, growing, and working with some of the most esteemed restaurant owners/managers and winemakers. While spending my time in California I became close to a few Mexican-born families and fell deeply in love with the food and gatherings shown to me by them. Life brings big changes and opportunities. Mine came when COVID hit, and I moved back home to Georgia. The opportunity to bring La Chiquiada to life quickly became my main focus. I worked diligently to create a menu and space that reflected my time out in California. My purpose is to serve the Decatur and neighboring communities a crafted experience where they feel welcome and satisfied time and time again. I am so pleased to be continuing a legacy of Decatur’s entrepreneurial spirit as my grand and great-grandparents did.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been very challenging opening and running La Chiquiada. Financially, physically, and emotionally it takes a toll. This is my passion, and I am so proud of what we have done with the restaurant. Some of the biggest challenges have been location, the steady flow of customer staff, and our consistency with food and beverages, our hours of operation, and the cost of products. I want to push this to be the best it can be, and that is taking time and lots of adjustments along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner of a Mexican-California style restaurant. I curated the full beverage and food menu, designed the space, and currently managed the front and back of the restaurant. I worked very hard to create a menu with California, Seasonality, local Decatur area palate, food cost, and allergies/aversions in mind. It is a balanced menu with plenty of options to accommodate most diners and offers a take on the style of Mexican food I fell in love with while out in Northern California.
I think my concept alone sets me apart. As a person, I am very savvy, hard-working, and love what I do. I am so proud of everything at La Chiquiada. The food, the drink menu, the space it is my biggest accomplishment by far. I will continue to work hard every day to push this business forward.
What matters most to you?
This business being successful. I am so proud and I have worked so hard on this restaurant so far. I will not give up on it and will do whatever it takes to make it a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lachiquiada.com
- Instagram: @lachiquiada_decatur
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaChiquiadaDecatur/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-chiquiada?trk=ppro_cprof
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-chiquiada-decatur
- Other: https://order.toasttab.com/online/lachiquiada-decatur
Image Credits
Catherine Zuber, Zachary Gardner
