The spouses seek to highlight the gastronomic wealth of the Dominican nation
Economic problems are the triggers that cause great changes in people’s lives. A vivid example of these transformations is the case of entrepreneurs Penélope González and Pedro Henríquez, a married couple, who decided to start a gastronomic project together in 2016 as a result of the bankruptcy of their company and the loss of their jobs.
From the union of a marketer and a hotelier, a company dedicated to catering and events was born under the name Chin de To
“We were responsible for preparing the picaderas at family reunions and with friends, we prepared everything from BBQ meats to sancochos”, the spouses indicated as they happily recalled their beginnings.
They tell elCaribe that the idea of creating Chin de To arose as a result of the positive comments they received about the preparations they brought to the meetings.
The spouses have four children: Penelope, Karla, Zoe and Enzo, who have been the fruit of their 18-year union and their greatest motivation to get ahead.
Laughing, the businessmen express that Chin de To has a home delivery service from chefs and a live show of the preparations.
Both González and Henríquez assure that their success is due to the upbringing given by their parents, pointing out that love for work, discipline and perseverance were the greatest teachings of their parents.
For the businessmen, Penélope, a native of Santiago de los Caballeros, and Pedro, born in Santo Domingo, their parents were hardworking beings who always fought for the well-being of their children.
“We had very similar childhoods. We are from humble families who have had to work hard to obtain daily sustenance. In both cases, seeing our parents give their best to support their children, no matter how hard the work is, has had an influence,” they recall with pride.
Having their own company, being masters of their own time and exploiting the gifts and knowledge of gastronomy were the main factors that motivated the couple to make their Chin de To project a reality.
“We saw the need in the market for a company that would prepare everything related to an activity, from organization, catering and snacks to home chefs; in addition to preparing themed parties”, they explain.
You can contact Penélope González and Pedro Henríquez through Instagram and Facebook at @Chindeto, or by calling 849-212-8281.
The spouses say that the success of their initiative is due to the variety of their preparations, which highlight Dominican culture and international cuisine, hand in hand with natural ingredients.
Penélope González and Pedro Henríquez are winners for two consecutive years (2017-2018) of the Paella contest of the Valencian Festival, organized by Casa de España.
The entrepreneurs have worked with the United States Embassy in the country and the companies Sabor USA, Potatoes USA, American Airlines, Nutriciosa and Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, among others.
They state that Chin de To was chosen as the official caterer for the first season of Masterchef Celebrity in the Dominican Republic (2019).
Goat leg on celery strain puree.
Vanilla sorbet is one of the desserts you can try at Chin de To.
Profitability and Jochy Santos
Penélope and Pedro assure that the communicator Jochy Santos has become the godfather of their Chin de To business.
According to them, Santos supported them from the beginning of their project by spreading it on digital platforms, but above all by giving them their unconditional friendship. Entrepreneurs thank God for the growth of their business and their customers for staying loyal to them over the years.
“We thank God very much because since we started it has been a success and it is so much so that the first Christmas we prepared 56 dinners. It has been a constant growth because our clients have remained loyal”, they emphasized.
They announced, after six years in the market, that next March they will open a restaurant on Avenida México #41, Edificio Senda.
“We understand that everything that is done with love and passion prospers. We put a lot of effort into offering a natural and homemade seasoning or as we say: “grandmother’s seasoning”. That has differentiated us”, they say.
They assure that Chin de To has had a path full of ups and downs, challenges and challenges, but also many opportunities and satisfactions.
“It has been a path of ups and downs and a lot of work, but today @Chindeto is the livelihood of our home. Of course it is 100% profitable. It has allowed us to get up little by little after the bankruptcy and continue growing”, they express firmly.
Advice
Entrepreneurs urge people who dream of starting a business to launch without fear to conquer the business world.
“Never stop insisting and persevering for what you want to achieve. You will fall many times, but the important thing will always be to get up. The limitations are in the mind.”, they advise
They explain that undertaking is a path full of ups and downs, however, they describe the process as beautiful.
They also recommended Do not be discouraged by the negative comments of the people around you.
“You will find a thousand doors that will close, but we assure you that two thousand will open for you. The important thing is to insist, persist and never give up doing it. You have to be constant”, they suggest.
family complicity
Penélope and Pedro express that their children have been a fundamental part in the development of their Chin de To initiative. These have been his motivation and drive to get up every day.
“The fact that they can feel and live in their own flesh that with a lot of effort and tenacity goals can be achieved. Knowing that without success there is no sacrifice and that the time away from them is an effort to get them ahead, ”she says with a broken voice.
Their children Karla and Enzo, lovers of gastronomy, are preparing to follow in their parents’ footsteps, while Penelope and Zoe are applying to be the creatives of the business.
