Daily Inspiration: Meet Danielle Duran-Zecca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Duran-Zecca.

Hi Danielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My husband and I began Amiga Amore as a pop-up six years ago; it is the friendship that turned into love not only between me and him but between our two cultures Mexico and Italy. We began our relationship working together in NYC at his restaurant Vespa, I became head chef. After many years in NYC, we knew we wanted a place of our own just not sure where. We moved back to my home of Los Angeles to plant some roots and start a family. We are very passionate about hospitality and cooking so it was just in due time we would get a little restaurant of our own. We worked really hard, pop-ups everywhere that would allow us at that time. (It wasn’t that popular six years ago 🙂 ) And then finally, knew we needed our own space, we searched and nothing stuck. It wasn’t until we did a residency in Highland Park and knew it was the area for us. It is funny I wouldn’t have picked it because it is the area I grew up in, so everything clicked when I came back to my roots. It took us a year to build out the restaurant, lots of blood sweat, and tears but we did it and couldn’t be prouder of all the work we put in. Our little casita is open and running like a well-oiled machine most days lol.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hah, definitely not the smoothest. But It was our journey we had to go through a lot of what we did to make us better people, business owners, and a chef. We struggled with finding funds; with the buildout, it was a full renovation. We struggled with lots of fake people saying they could help but either taking advantage of our kindness or leaving us in the dust and never hearing from them again.

The inspections we did a lot ourselves, and that was a lot of learning! But I can say I know how to build a restaurant from scratch, and not a lot of people can say that.

With the struggles, though came great things, and we found our footing.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a chef, I specialize in mexitalian cuisine. I’m known for my Elote agnolotti, a sweet corn-filled pasta resembling Mexican street corn. We finished the dish with housemade tajin, finger lime, and cotija, just how I had it growing up.

I’m most proud of how far I have come in my journey, I worked my butt off and sacrificed a lot of holidays and life to get to where I am. And also learned about the balance I need for work and my personal life. I’m proud to say I own a restaurant that is mine, and I did it before the age of 35!

I think my drive, my passion for what I do. It isn’t just a job it is my heart and soul; if I couldn’t cook, I don’t know what I would do. It is my escape into a world where things don’t have to make sense all the time. Sometimes fish and cheese do go together, lol. I learn every day from a peer, a mentor, myself making mistakes and fixing them.

I think what sets me apart is I have been through a lot in life already, and I have learned to take the good with the bad, brush it off, and keep going, and to never give up on myself. I think those are lessons most don’t learn until later in life.

What makes you happy?
My son, food, cooking, my husband, my close family, my friends that feel like family, Amiga Amore, and what we have accomplished in a short time.

And nothing in a particular order haha my husband will definitely think oh no she loves food more than me hah.

My son is my sweet little crab. He is so funny and loves helping me. He is also so kind, any struggle I have gone through this past year, he sees or feels me and just comes and cuddles to tell me how much he loves me. I’m lucky to have him.

My husband, my business partner, and my best friend. Short and simple.

My family although very small, don’t really speak to a lot of them except mom, dad, and my older sister, and they support me and love me unconditionally. But they also just have my back no matter what.

My friends that feel like family, are just that! They are there to cheer me on and are truly happy for me, and there when I need them. They all know how much I work ha but when they come to see me at Amiga the whole night is better I’m so happy, and love to feed them.

Everything we have accomplished is just the six months we have been open is tremendous, and I am so grateful!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amigaamorela.com
• Instagram: Amiga Amore la

Image Credits
Casey Sripramong