We had the good fortune of connecting with Eduardo Santos Valdez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eduardo, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m a Mexican chef who fell in love with Peruvian gastronomy. When I moved to San Diego, I felt inspired to share the bold and vibrant flavors I had discovered, but I also wanted to honor the local culture and my own Mexican roots. That’s how the idea was born—to create a concept that blends the essence of Peruvian cuisine with a Mexican/Baja twist, reflecting both my personal journey and the community around me.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Inspired by the urban cuisine of Peru, Cauxa is a gastronomic concept that brings together the bold, vibrant flavors of Peruvian food with the unique touch of Baja California. We opened our doors in Tijuana in early 2025 with the mission of sharing the richness and diversity of Peruvian cuisine with the local community 0 creating an experience that is both unique and exciting.

We’re now expanding across the border, bringing our flavors to San Diego through local farmers markets. We’re currently at the Scripps Ranch Farmers Market and will be joining a few more in the coming weeks.

The journey of becoming an entrepreneur has been anything but easy. Although I’ve only been a small business owner for a short time, the learning curve has been steep. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying grounded in your purpose. For me, that purpose is sharing my passion for food and creating spaces where people can connect through meaningful, flavorful experiences.

At the heart of Cauxa is a deep love for culture, community, and creativity—and that’s what I want the world to know about our story.

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?
I want to thank every chef, every colleague, and every person in the industry who has helped me grow—those who’ve shared their knowledge, their cultures, and encouraged me to become better, not just as a chef, but as a human being. Because at its core, food is about connection, culture, and community

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cauxaperuana/ & https://www.instagram.com/mextizonyc/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.