About Us

About Us

The story of Lucia’s begins in Rosario, Argentina. Centrally located in Argentina where several major rivers converge, Rosario is known as “El Pago de los Arroyos” or the land of streams. During the latter part of the 19th century, a huge wave of European immigrants landed in Rosario, making it a city burgeoning with new ideas and dreams. Between this influx of energy and access to the major rivers of Argentina, Rosario became the first outlet for export from Argentina and would eventually become known as Argentina’s “Self-Made City.”

Just as the city of Rosario experienced a transformation with this explosion of immigrants, so did the cuisine of the region. The contributions of Italian, Spanish, German and French immigrants developed over time to produce what is truly unique and versatile food. Italian pizza and pastas, Spanish beef recipes, French baked treats and sauces and German desserts all blend into a cuisine unlike any other in the world, but yet still accessible in the very basic nature of its ingredients. Because of its multicultural background, Argentina has a culture and cuisine with which anyone can find a connection.

It was during the 1920’s that the Salguero family embraced the pioneering spirit for which Rosario had become known and turned their passion for food into a family business. For the Salgueros, food was about love and time spent with family and friends. Every dinner was a celebration, where everyone contributed, where ideas were passionately exchanged, and where neighbors and friends were welcome. At the core of these family celebrations was Mama Lucia. The word spread through Rosario and the demand for Mama Lucia’s food, especially her empanadas, started to grow. Before long, there was always a knock on the door and someone asking for empanadas or one of the many other tasty treats Mama Lucia was known for. When asked what her secret was, she always responded, “The main ingredient is love.” Throughout the generations, the Salguero family has carried on Mama Lucia’s traditions and their food has become a favorite throughout Rosario.

In 2000, Diego headed to the U.S. to carry on Mama Lucia’s traditions and expand his family’s business. As a food consultant and personal chef, he was able to expand his culinary talent and focus on exceptional service. Soon, his catering took him all over the country. With his catering, he was able to refine his unique and interesting fusion of Argentine and American cuisine. His obsession with freshness allowed him to maximize the flavors and textures of his dishes while remaining true to his belief – simple foods with eclectic flavors yield the most amazing culinary experiences.

And at the same time, Diego has not only perfected the flavors of his dishes, but has built upon the versatility of his Argentine food as well. With his Argentine/American fusion creations, he has developed a menu that is customizable for any type of event or palate, from casual gatherings to cocktail parties to BBQs to formal dinners and so on. But, each new event inspires a new creation from Diego. Everything he creates has a unique versatility, amenable to any setting. And, because of the basic nature of his ingredients, Diego can make any number of changes to his dishes without sacrificing his commitment to quality.

For Diego, cooking is not only a way to express himself creatively, but also a way to transfer all of the energy and emotion he puts in his food into the experience and enjoyment of the people eating it. He wants people to savor all of the flavors in harmony, from the sight, to the smell and of course, the taste. He believes every morsel of his creations should be an experience they will never forget. When asked how he could make something so simple into the most delicious dishes, he said, "That is love you taste my friend, love.” Sounds just like Mama Lucia.

And it is this same love and tradition that Chef Salguero now puts into each one of his handcrafted selections of Argentine foods. All of Chef Salguero's creations are handmade locally, with only the finest ingredients. From delicious empanadas to scrumptious alfajores, Chef Salguero created these Argentine favorites so that he could bring the best of the culinary traditions with which he grew up right into your own home.