Meet Corina Rodriquez | Baker of Vera and Lou Baking Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Corina Rodriquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Corina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to honor my grandparents and carry on the legacy of my Grandma Vera’s recipes through baking. I grew up incredibly close to my grandparents, Vera and Louie, and spent a lot of time at their house which resulted in a lot of time spent in the kitchen with my grandma. She showed her love for her family and loved ones through baking, and it is something I always admired and was absolutely drawn to doing as well. She allowed me to follow her every move in the kitchen, showing me recipes and techniques and encouraged me to practice over and over again until I got the technique and recipe right. The feeling of seeing my family happy and satisfied over something I baked with my grandma brought me a happiness like no other. It made me feel elated with joy to be able to give that happiness back to others through a cookie, brownie, or cake.
I found that I was actually really good at baking and the more time I spent in the kitchen with her, the more trust she gave me in knowing the ins and outs of her recipes and eventually I was making them the same way she did.
Baking is not only nostalgic for me, but it’s very sentimental. It reminds me of how I grew up, of time spent with family, and has always allowed me to be creative and thoughtful. I knew that if I ever started a business, it would have to be centered around just that. From there, I eventually took the risk on myself and decided I would focus on what my grandma always did best, and that was bake cookies. I wanted to share her recipes with the rest of the world and let them know not only that it was her recipe, but that she taught me how to do so much in the kitchen that I carry on to this day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For me, baking is art and it is the space where I am allowed to be meticulous, yet creative all in one. It allows me to showcase something I envision in my mind yet brought to life for others to enjoy through taste, smell, and visual appeal. I absolutely love and thrive on the joy I see from my customers when they pick up a cookie order from me or when they try a sample for the first time. It makes me so happy to see that something I created, and something that is special to me, can make someone else happy. What sets me apart from others is that I have been baking and in the kitchen since I was a little girl, tall enough to stand at the kitchen counter with my grandma and hold a whisk. I did not learn from YouTube, or go to culinary school, or train in a bakery – I learned from my grandma. A skilled baker with 50+ years of experience in the kitchen. I grew up during the era of learning how to cook and bake from watching Julia Child and Martha Stewart on TV and finding recipes in my grandma’s cook books or cooking magazines. When I was a little girl, my grandma would send me to school with Oatmeal raisin cookies, and my teachers would always ask me, “Corina, when is your grandma going to make some more of those cookies!?” lol, those cookies had them hooked and I am proud to say I carry on that recipe the same way she baked it many years ago. I am not someone that is baking to be on trend, rather someone who is baking to evoke nostalgia and comfort through food. I want my baking to remind you of home. I am most proud of having repeat customers – who not only refer me to their inner circle, but that also continue to order cookies from me time and time again. Over the last 2 years, I have one customer who has ordered from me almost a dozen times – and I take so much pride in that and the customer relationship I have created. It’s meaningful and special to me to be part of their lives and create some of their fav cookies. There is nothing better than being asked to cater special events such as weddings or bridal showers etc. because I know how much they trust me to bring good, wholesome, quality baked goods to their special day. That right there – is an absolute honor and privilege to know that from all the options they have that they choose me.
I have so much that lies ahead and am looking forward to what the future brings and earning new business with new customers who have yet to try my baking. My hope is for people to enjoy what I bake and know that it comes from the heart. All I want is for them to be happy and enjoy a moment of peace.
I want the world to know that my grandparents meant the world to me, and that they are huge part of the person I am today. My grandpa helped raise me and was like a father – he always encouraged me to go after anything I wanted. I could not have been more blessed to have a person like that in my life, I just really couldn’t. and between him and my grandma, I really had a cheer squad rooting me on. My grandma would always crochet and bake and would send me to school with certain things and tell me to sell things to my friends and try to get some extra spending $ for myself. She never wanted it for herself, but wanted me to share her creations with my friends in hopes that someone would buy them from me. Not many people know this, but she never had the chance to be an entrepreneur or work in the capacity as a woman, that I am able to do right now. So every time I book an order, or sell a cookie at a popup, I think of her and say to her in spirit “we’re doing it grandma…the people love your cookies”.
I can’t help but get teary eyed thinking of that, because I know how proud she would be if she could be here today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would bring them to Long Beach, a city that I am blessed to call home. I would start the day at Marina Farmers Market on a beautiful sunday, then to Aji Peruvian on 4th St for some incredible empanadas and lomo saltado, then to Rosies dog beach to sit and hang with all the dogs on the beach catching a beautiful sunset, and stroll around 2nd st in Belmont Shore shopping and site seeing. I love where I live, and am blessed to call this vibrant creative city, home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is dedicated to my Mom, Dad, Brother, and Boyfriend. They are my world, and the people who have always believed in me that I could do anything. Without my amazing Mom encouraging me to do whatever it is I want in life, I would have never taken a gamble on myself. Without my Dad encouraging me to never give up, I would have never done the things I have done thus far. Without my Brother believing in me and hyping me up over my talents, I would have never pat myself on the back. And without my incredibly supportive partner, I would have never put myself out into the world of pop-ups and culinary – a world I used to dream about being part of yet had no idea how to venture into. My family means the world to me, and for as much as everyone knows that my grandparents are the biggest part of my story, it is important for me to highlight that I would truly not be able to put myself out there so bravely if it was not for the unwavering support, encouragement, and love from my family.

Instagram: veraandloubakingcompany