International Women’s Day: Meet Jen from CJ Taco

Images: CJ Taco

CJ Taco over in Towyn made the most out of lockdown. Started by Craig and Jen back in their kitchen in 2020, they are now an award winning Mexican inspired business. Jen very kindly took some time to talk to NWG about future plans for CJ Taco, and what is means to be a woman in the food industry within North Wales.

The journey of CJ Taco

We started CJ Taco from home back in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. My partner Craig is a chef but back then restaurants had to close while I was working full-time as an A&E nurse. Nursing was really difficult during the pandemic. So I encouraged him, why don't we do something from home and I could decrease my hours.

We decided to make Mexican food because Craig makes the best tacos I have ever tasted! We combined the Mexican inspiration, Craig’s passion and experience, and my Filipino background.

We used social media to promote the food we created and surprisingly people loved our food. We didn't expect to get so busy making food from home that we had to look for our own little restaurant to accommodate our growing customers.

CJ Taco Dishes

Birria taco Source: CJ Taco

It's so difficult to choose favourite dishes but I feel my favourite is the Birria Taco. It’s packed with honest flavours, from the slow cooked beef brisket in corn wraps with cheese then dipped in beef broth goodness. Imagine all that flavours in your mouth paired with our Filipino garlic rice. So good!

Winning best Mexican restaurant of the year at the Welsh Restaurant Awards

When we found out that we were nominated for Mexican restaurant of the year at the Welsh Restaurant Awards in 2022, I couldn't believe it and even told Craig, "are you joking?". It was only our second year in the hospitality industry and staring from home to what we have achieved in a short period of time, was very overwhelming.

We were actually hesitant on attending the awards night because it was all the way to Cardiff. But we thought, it was a once in a life time event. We were not expecting to win but to only have a good time and a few drinks!

When they called CJ TACO and announced us as the best Mexican restaurant of the year, I was very surprised, had mixed emotions and a bit tipsy at this time! I managed to walk up to the stage to get our award and left the talking to Craig! Ha! It didn't sink in that we had won until I woke up the next morning, thinking to myself, wow me and my partner did it!

Being a woman in the food industry

The Tapsilog dish. Image from CJ Taco

I have never worked in the food industry before until we opened up our own little restaurant. So I did not know what to expect, but it was very challenging because everything was new to me. But as a woman and an individual, I just put my heart, mind and passion into it and this enabled me to face the difficult challenges from managing staff to dealing with difficult customers.

Creating food just came naturally because I was brought up cooking from a very young age. I love food, trying new recipes, travelling and tasting different cuisines. This enabled me to establish a strong foundation in the food industry but I will never stop learning.

Future Plans

Craig and I have a lot of food ideas to explore. We both love trying new recipes, experimenting but still making sure to provide honest good food. We have a lot in store so keep an eye out! Unfortunately we are not reopening CJ TACO in April as we have moved out of Towyn and still looking for a better location at present.

To stay up to date with Jen and Craig, follow CJ Taco on social media.