Rising Stars: Meet Shawnda Arechiga of Avondale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawnda Arechiga.

Hi Shawnda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Los Angeles with a big family, we have always shared food to show love and appreciation. I became a teen mom and moved out on my own with my high school sweetheart; growing up meant I had to learn to cook. Fast forward from having one child to five meant lots of cooking and parties, and I accepted the challenge and started to be recognized for my Cajun and Mexican meals and “going all out” for events. My second oldest son Isaac always encouraged me to share my food and experiences with others, but I didn’t try to take that on. Tragically, Isaac was murdered in February of 2021, and I wanted to bring his idea of catering and hosting events to life. I make traditional Cajun and Mexican dishes and sometimes infuse them for some flare. A favorite we get asked about is our fried chicken tacos! “They smack!” I have Isaac in my heart whenever I cater or host an event.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road as we have met the challenges of COVID and had to back out of some big events after picking up some friction with our sold-out menudo popup. We have reduced business hours and dates of availability to allow adjustments.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We specialize in party rentals, but our demand has been our catering. We get high praise for our baked macaroni, cheese, and super hot salsas. If you taste our food, you will feel and know that the ingredients are top-notch, and we took our time to make your meal; that is what sets us apart and makes us most proud.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I want to give credit to my family and friends who have stuck with us through our tragedy and still showed up to support us. The list is long, but I want to thank my son, Efrain Jr., for his many friends, my husband, and his hard work to keep us afloat. At the same time, I made sacrifices, my three younger children who show up and work, my parents, my in-laws, my cousin Scoot, my brother Ray and his family, and most of all, Isaac because without his inspiration. I would not have attempted to do any of this. I also want to thank my customers who have trusted and supported me; they have been phenomenal. Without them, I would’ve given up long ago.

Pricing:

• Catering from $15 per person
• White Jumper from $220 per day
• Large Canopies from $200 per day

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Dreycos_Events
• Facebook: Dreyco’s

Image Credits
Images are credited to Dreyco’s