Meet Julia Hirt | Founder, Marguerita Kitchen

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

Hi Julia, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I originally started sharing cooking, food, and home lifestyle content online as a fun hobby. I’ve always had a passion for cooking and creating a cozy home, and I loved sharing that with others. When my close friends began hitting major milestones—getting married, buying homes, and starting families—I wanted to celebrate these moments in a thoughtful, personal way. That’s when I started putting together specialty gift baskets, filled with gourmet soups, sauces, and treats that I made myself. It was a way to combine my love for food and my desire to create meaningful, unique gifts. From there, Marguerita Kitchen was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Marguerita Kitchen is all about creating thoughtful, gourmet gift baskets that bring people together through food. What sets us apart is the attention to detail and the personal touch behind each basket. I make all the soups and sauces from scratch, using fresh, high-quality ingredients, and I carefully curate each basket to reflect the warmth and celebration that comes with life’s special moments. Whether it’s a housewarming, a wedding, or a new baby, the goal is to deliver a gift that’s both delicious and meaningful. We’re especially proud of the brand partners we have collaborated with this year and can’t wait to do more in the coming year!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’re based in Santa Monica and rather partial to the Westside! Our ideal day kicks off with cappuccinos and pain au chocolat at Caffe Luxxe in the Brentwood Country Mart. It’s such a cozy spot, and we always seem to bump into a friend or neighbor, which makes it feel like home. Check out Farmshop for more gourmet treats or sit down breakfast. Their frittata and Sunday fried chicken are some of our favorites.

After breakfast, we’d take a stroll down Montana Avenue for some shopping and window browsing. Our friends at Hummingbird Home & Co just opened their first boutique. It’s so beautifully curated and charming – a must for homeware shopping! Just down the street is Jill Roberts, the best women’s clothing boutique in town. If you’re looking for a new book to cozy up with, check out Zibby’s bookstore! They have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to the best new books and are always hosting authors and book events in store – so special!

For lunch, we can’t get enough of the sandwiches from Bread Head! The house made focaccia is to die for and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. If you’re in the mood for Vietnamese, Bun & Mi is fabulous! Owned by a husband and wife team, the service is impeccable.

When it comes to dinner, R+D Kitchen is a fan favorite. You can’t go wrong with a seat at the bar, a margarita, Dip Duo and the iconic Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich! Another favorite is Brothers Sushi which serves some of the best, most creative sushi on the Westside!

And fin! End the evening with ice cream at Rori’s… they make their peanut butter ice cream with home made PB dark chocolate candies!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people come to mind! I truly believe that success is never achieved alone, and there are so many people who have contributed to my journey. First, I have to give a big shoutout to my husband, family and close friends. They were the first to support my idea and encourage me to turn my passion into something bigger. Their love and feedback helped me refine my products and recipes. I’ve also found such an inspiring community of women, creators and entrepreneurs on social media who are so supportive!

Website: https://margueritakitchen.com

Instagram: @margueritakitchen