When Jennifer Teutli began offering authentic and delicious Mexican food in 2014, she did it from a small stand at local farmer’s market. “I was born and raised in Mexico City, so the flavors and seasoning are very important” says Jennifer. “Being at the market was a great way for people to get to know us and our food.”
The demand for her cuisine kept growing, and so did the business. “People started asking us to cater their parties, and it was very exciting because in Mexico, a typical luncheon, or “Taquiza,” would have beautiful Mexican pots and baskets and a lot of colorful decor and flowers. I really wanted to present our catering services that way because it was definitely new and original.”
She rented a commercial kitchen and then designed and added on a taco truck. “We participated in food festivals, farmers markets, and did lots of catering,” she says. “We also sold our packaged food out of wine stores in Chatham and Summit.”
Chef James Laird from Serenade restaurant in Chatham was an avid customer of the farmer's market and of Jennifer’s offerings. Later, he had Mexican Spice cater his staff’s holiday parties and they all became friends.
Everything was going so well, then COVID hit. “Our catering and wine store business evaporated. We were not set up to be open to the public. I figured the most fun people were going to have in those days was getting take-out.”
Jennifer and her sister Andrea, who had just arrived from Mexico City, ran a fundraiser on a cool crowdsourcing platform that supports women (ifundwomen.com) so Mexican Spice could move to a new location where they could provide takeout and delivery. People were incredibly supportive, and in just three days, they raised enough money.
“We opened our restaurant on Main Street in Chatham two months later in September in a little place on Main St. that I'd always loved, and it turned out amazing,” says Jennifer. “We honor our donors with beautiful hand-pounded metal hearts made by artisans in Mexico City that hang on our Miracle Wall.”
Today, Mexican Spice has an additional taco truck and a mobile margarita/cantina truck. Although Andrea is no longer involved in the day-to-day business, Jennifer has a lot of help from her staff.
“They're like my family,” she says. “They're very hardworking. I don’t consider this my business, but our business.”
Mexican Spice caters many private events such as corporate meetings, high school graduations, birthdays, and anniversaries. “It's not just about providing food – our clients trust us with their most special celebrations, and Mexican Spice becomes part of their memory. That’s a big honor and responsibility.”
All the food is fresh, flavorful and healthy. “The salsa chipotle we make is inspired from my husband's grandmother,” she says. “Our zucchini soup is very traditional for a homemade lunch. Our salsa Verde is iconic of Mexico. The guacamole recipe comes from my mother.”
She and her staff cook from scratch every day. “I'm very particular about keeping the authenticity of the flavors, colors, textures and presentation.”
Jennifer is also on the Board of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, helping coordinate events like A Taste of Chatham, which includes all the restaurants in The Chathams and beyond.
Recently, she and Chef Laird came together for a special Collaborative Fusion Dinner using Mexican ingredients and French techniques. Held on March 6th, it was a huge success, and it also raised $1200 for the Chatham Methodist United Church Food Pantry.
Jennifer and her husband Eugenio have raised their three kids, Rodrigo, Nico and Diego in Chatham, and absolutely love the town. Nico, who’s 20, works in the restaurant and Jeronimo, the father of her niece and nephew who recently moved from Mexico City and has ample experience in the food and beverage industry, is now the manager at Mexican Spice. At one time or another, many family members including her mother, father, sisters, kids, nieces, nephews, aunts, and even her grandmother, helped in the restaurant. It’s truly a family business!
Stop in and enjoy some incredible Mexican food. You’ll keep coming back for more.
www.MexicanSpice.net.
“I'm very particular about keeping the authenticity of the flavors, colors, textures and presentation.”