{"id":3135,"date":"2024-12-06T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/?p=3135"},"modified":"2025-01-13T20:10:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T19:10:43","slug":"pukitas-catering-la-historia-de-perseverancia-y-sabor-de-paola-cruz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peruanos.nl\/en\/pukitas-catering-la-historia-de-perseverancia-y-sabor-de-paola-cruz\/","title":{"rendered":"Pukitas Catering: A Story of Perseverance and Flavor by Paola Cruz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the streets of R\u00edmac<\/strong> to the streets of Alkmaar<\/strong>, Paola Cruz<\/strong> has brought the taste and passion of Peruvian cuisine to a corner of the world few could have imagined.<\/p>\n\n

With over 22 years living outside of Peru and 16 years in the Netherlands, Paola is the founder and chef of Pukitas Catering<\/strong>, a business dedicated to bringing authentic Peruvian gastronomy to Holland. Her story is one of resilience, love for cooking, and deep pride in her roots. In this lively conversation, Paola opens the doors to her life and shares the experiences that have made her an icon of Peruvian cuisine in Europe. <\/p>\n\n

A Childhood Filled with Tradition and Flavor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Paola was born in Jes\u00fas Mar\u00eda<\/strong>, Lima, but grew up in R\u00edmac, near the Alameda de los Descalzos, a neighborhood rich in history, music, and above all, delicious food. \u201cI fondly remember the celebrations with caj\u00f3n and guitar, the smell of food from street vendors, especially the anticuchos,\u201d she says nostalgically. Her family, with northern Peruvian roots, was always tied to the culinary arts. Her father was a doctor, and her mother, initially a nurse, later dedicated herself to cooking, following the family tradition. <\/p>\n\n

Desde peque\u00f1a, Paola se interes\u00f3 por la cocina. \u201cOne time, the family restaurant was short-staffed, and everyone had to pitch in. At first, it was stressful, but over time, I realized that the adrenaline of preparing dishes was my thing, and I wanted to pursue it professionally.\u201d<\/em> And thus, the seed of her passion began to grow.<\/p>\n\n

An Unexpected Journey Fueled by Love and Destiny<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Before settling in the Netherlands, Paola lived in Buenos Aires<\/strong>. It was there she met her partner, and together they decided to move to the Netherlands to build their family. \u201cIt was for love,\u201d<\/em> she says with a smile. Though she had to adapt to a culturally different environment, she never let go of her Peruvian roots. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\u201cI initially ran a business importing and selling Peruvian products, and with a friend, I started organizing events for the Peruvian community here. I realized that in my area, there was a lack of professional Peruvian cuisine, and that\u2019s how the idea for Pukitas Catering was born.\u201d <\/em>With passion and dedication, Paola has managed to bring the authentic flavors of Peru to the Netherlands, conquering palates and connecting hearts.<\/p>\n\n

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A Menu that Embodies the Soul of Peru<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

From ceviche to criollo dishes and Andean specialties, Paola has managed to conquer Dutch palates with authentic and memorable flavors. Pero no fue f\u00e1cil al principio. \u201cIntroducirnos al p\u00fablico holand\u00e9s fue complicado; no estaban muy animados a probar ingredientes y sabores desconocidos para ellos. Sin embargo, poco a poco nuestra gastronom\u00eda se fue haciendo m\u00e1s conocida\u201d<\/em>, comenta. Today, Pukitas Catering <\/strong>offers catering services, tastings, workshops, weekly menus, and even the experience of having a personal chef at home.<\/p>\n\n

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“Many times the expense was greater than the profit. They told me to close down, that it wasn’t worth it, but I kept going. I got up at 4 am, and even though I felt physically exhausted, I never stopped fighting.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

For Paola, Ceviche <\/strong>is the dish that best represents her venture. \u201cI prepare it Lima style, but with a northern touch. It is a simple dish, but full of elements and flavors,\u201d<\/em> she explains. Her secret is in the balance between the traditional and the creative, always respecting the essence of Peruvian ingredients. <\/p>\n\n

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Challenges that Strengthen and Teach<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Starting a food business in the Netherlands hasn\u2019t been easy for Paola. \u201cThe most difficult part was meeting all the standards required to operate a catering company here. I also had to acquire professional equipment gradually; at first, I borrowed large pots for events,\u201d<\/em> she recalls with laughter. She also highlights the challenges of earning client trust and overcoming cultural barriers. <\/p>\n\n

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Moments That Inspire Perseverance<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Among Paola\u2019s greatest achievements is cooking for the Dutch Minister of Defense and Latin American ambassadors at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But what stands out the most is a rainy afternoon after an event where sales didn\u2019t go as expected. \u201cA family approached me, hugged me, and told me they were proud of me and encouraged me not to give up. It was a very emotional moment that gave me the strength to continue,\u201d she recalls. <\/p>\n\n

Balancing Family and Culinary Passion<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Paola is not only an entrepreneur but also a mother. With a Dutch-Surinamese partner and a teenage son, finding a balance between family life and work has been another challenge. \u201cIt was tough, but I always tried to provide quality time. Now, with better organization, I can enjoy my family more,\u201d she says. For her, instilling love for Peruvian culture and cuisine in her son is essential. \u201cSince he was little, we cooked together, read stories in Spanish, and I taught him about our ingredients. Now, he knows how to prepare some dishes on his own.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

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Work, love and family: the perfect recipe for Paola’s success<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Dreams, Goals, and an Invitation to Discover Peru in Every Bite<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Paola\u2019s dreams with Pukitas Catering are far from over. In the short term, she hopes to have a new studio where she can create cooking videos. In the long term, she dreams of owning a food truck to take her delicious dishes to every corner of the Netherlands. Her vision goes beyond serving food; it\u2019s about showcasing Peru\u2019s rich culture and sharing the flavors that emotionally connect her to her homeland, with aj\u00ed amarillo being one of the ingredients that best represents her. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cMy advice to other Peruvian entrepreneurs abroad is not to compare yourself to others and not to give up. There will always be challenges, but we must remain humble and support our community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Learn more about Pukitas Catering<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Paola invites all lovers of gastronomy and Peruvian culture to explore her services. If you want to learn more, follow her on social media, where she shares recipes, stories, and the magic of Peruvian cooking. <\/p>\n\n

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