Meet Lulu Calva | Pastry Chef

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

Hi Lulu, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
During COVID, I noticed a growing need for pastry chefs in the restaurant industry. Many establishments struggled to justify the cost of having an in-house pastry chef, and at the same time, it often wasn’t financially sustainable for the chefs themselves. I wanted to bridge that gap by offering high-quality desserts, pastries, and breads in a way that adapted my kitchen to the restaurant’s needs—not the other way around. Over time, my team and I have developed an extensive menu of pastries, breads, and desserts that can elevate the offerings of any restaurant, café, or catering company. Our goal is to provide exceptional products that help our clients deliver the best possible experience to their customers.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Everything I do is rooted in the love and passion my grandmother passed down to me. Her influence is the heart of my work. I made the decision to go back to school at 35 to finally pursue my passion for pastry. I wasn’t able to do so when I was younger due to family responsibilities. Going back wasn’t easy—at the time, I was raising three children, working full-time as a pastry cook, and attending school. It was one of the most challenging periods of my life, but also one of the most rewarding.

After ten years of hard work and dedication, I reached the highest position I could as an employee—Executive Pastry Chef. That’s when I knew it was time to take the leap and start my own business.

Lulu’s Buns was born from that journey. It’s a labor of love, family, and perseverance. What sets us apart is our commitment to doing things the right way—with our hands, with intention, and with care. Every product we make is handcrafted with passion and integrity.

I’ve overcome many obstacles along the way, but I’ve done so by pushing forward, working even harder, and leaning on the incredible support of my husband, who has always believed in me.

What I want the world to know is that Lulu’s Buns isn’t just a bakery—it’s a story of resilience, heart, and love for the craft. Our mission is to bring that love to every restaurant, café, and catering business we work with through our breads, pastries, and desserts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I believe the best places are the hidden ones.
If I were showing someone around, I’d definitely take them stand-up paddle boarding at San Diego Bay—at night, it’s magical. We’d play a round of golf at the iconic Torrey Pines, grab a bite at one of the incredible taquerias in Chula Vista (some of the best tacos you’ll ever have on this side of the border), and explore one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the area. San Diego has so much to offer beyond the obvious—those little hidden gems are what make it special.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband and my kids encourage me every day
My grandmother who showed me how to reach peoples hearts through food,
My friend, coworker and the person with whom I was supposed to open this business but departed this life early, Chef Cesar Diaz.

Instagram: @lulusbuns_sd