By Nicole C.W. Gruter | Photography by Molly Mo Photography
Pictured (left to right): The Deliciouser team: Marcia Castro, Anne Minssen, Patrick O’Halloran and Michelle Oyamada.
Marcia Castro knows her way around spices — crucial components in every eatery’s kitchen. She attended culinary school and has always worked in restaurants. When she was married, she and her then-husband, Patrick O’Halloran, bought Lombardino’s. With partners, they opened The Old Fashioned five years later.
In 2020, she opened The Deliciouser, collaborating with O’Halloran, his wife Michelle Oyamada and their daughter-in-law Ann Oyamada. With The Deliciouser, Castro creates small-batch, locally-made spice blends, pairing them with uniquely curated events.
WHAT IS THE DELICIOUSER?
“We call ourselves a modern spice shop and kitchen studio. We’re a spice company with a studio kitchen, retail space and full bar. We host themed dining events, cooking classes and collaborations with farmers, chefs, distilleries and wineries. You get to taste the spices in a way that a chef would prepare them, or in a cocktail (even while you shop!).
People loved the spices we created, but didn’t know how to use them. That’s when we decided to open the event space in 2022 and offer occasions to learn about the spice blends. A big part of our goal is for people to gather around the table. There is something special about sharing food with others.”
WHAT LED YOU TO START MAKING SPICES?
“Restaurants weren’t open during COVID, so people were cooking more at home. We were missing good food and travel and didn’t have a product to sell. We decided this would be a great opportunity to showcase the chef-quality spices Patrick was developing.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPICE MIX?
“My latest favorite is our Siena salt blend made with smoked paprika and wild fennel pollen.”
WHAT DID YOU EAT FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT?
“Popcorn! In the butter, I mix in our Zócalo Spice Blend, a chili lime seasoning inspired by food in the town squares of Mexico.”
