The heart of Domestic Gourmet was born in a kitchen filled with the scent of simmering frijoles negros and the sound of a Tía lovingly passing down her recipes. Chef Ciji Castro grew up with a deep appreciation for her Puerto Rican and Cuban roots, but it wasn’t until adulthood — and a personal health journey that forced her to reevaluate everything — that she realized just how healing, powerful, and sacred food could be.

While navigating Stage IV endometriosis, Castro found strength and joy in returning to the kitchen, reviving family recipes, and sharing them with others. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a calling: to preserve ancestral knowledge, cook with intention, and create a brand that honors both heritage and health.

From her viral black bean recipe (now the #1 Spanish-language result on Google) to being featured in Forbes and named a finalist for Tampa Bay Business & Wealth’s Philanthropist of the Year, Ciji’s journey proves that food can be a powerful bridge between past, present, and future.