Meet Dora Rousse of 5 Cazuelas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dora Rousse.

Hi Dora, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Puebla, the central region of Mexico, where food plays a big role, I moved to the United States when I was a teenager. I tried to figure out what path to take professionally, and after trying different careers, I decided to follow the culinary arts life. After attending culinary school, I worked in the food industry for 12 years, learning different food styles, but I felt the need to bring back childhood memories from my hometown in Mexico. And that’s how the idea of “5 cazuelas” was born, with the support of my husband and brother in-law. We focused on the traditional tacos from Puebla with my own particular twist.

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 quite a road, every day being a challenge in a good way. When we started this project, I thought I was ready to learn the ropes of running a food trailer, but I realized that it is a whole different experience compared to working in a brick-and-mortar kitchen. At the beginning I was scared to drive a pick-up truck hauling a trailer. It took me a couple of months to manage that. Backing up was my worst fear, and even though I have been practicing since the beginning, every time it represents a new adventure. I could make a long list of all the struggles, but I will run out of ink. These are balanced with the satisfaction of overcoming them and watching people eating happily.

We’ve been impressed with 5 Cazuelas, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a family business that offers high quality, fresh ingredients’ tacos, served in a short amount time, accommodating the city’s fast pace during lunch hours. We offer five different choices, that include vegan, vegetarian, chicken, and pork, depending on our customers preference. These fillings are served on top of a blue corn heirloom organic tortilla, garnished with a variety of sprouts, grown by us, and finished with edible flower petals. We offer the option of a mid-sized burrito, which includes a flour tortilla, refried black beans, diced potatoes, and the customer filling’s choice. Depending on the time of the year, we offer a taco made with available ingredients of the season. Our tacos are not very common in Los Angeles, but made based on traditional Mexican recipes. We also offer lunch catering, being our mid-sized burritos the best choice due to the fact that they remain warm for a longer amount of time and are easier to eat on the go. People can hire us to cater a special event, such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, or any private event.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have been very lucky, because I had great mentors throughout my career. What I learned from the places that I have worked is to always be open to new knowledge. An advice would be to always learn from any experience and make it your own. It is good to know who is a passionate mentor that is willing to teach you. Every day, there’s something or someone to learn from.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://5cazuelas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5cazuelas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5cazuelas
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlj2_grvrw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/5-cazuelas-los-angeles