Latin-inspired dishes, Italian-American classics, and fully plant-forward menus — all made from scratch with the love and craft of a family kitchen. Available for events across the Conejo Valley.
The Chef
Denise grew up inside a kitchen. Her family's restaurant, La Carreta, has been feeding Thousand Oaks with Salvadoran heart for nearly two decades — and she absorbed everything: the patience, the intention, the belief that food is an act of love.
But Denise's cooking never stayed in one lane. She's personally vegan, and that shapes how she approaches every dish — plant-based or not. She brings a chef's technique to Latin-inspired flavors, puts her own spin on Italian-American classics, and creates plant-forward menus that genuinely surprise people.
The thread running through all of it: every dish she makes feels like someone took real care with it. Because she did.
Why La Carreta
A curated menu of chef-driven dishes designed to feel intimate and homemade — not like catering. Built around your party vibe, your guests, and your tastes.
Deep Latin roots with bold, vibrant flavors — and creative twists on Italian-American and Hispanic dishes that guests don't expect but absolutely love.
Everything is prepped in a professional commercial kitchen and finished fresh at your event. Elevated dishes that feel as personal as a meal made by the host — never like something that came out of a catering van.
Our chef is vegan and genuinely excels at food that meets restrictions without sacrificing flavor. Nobody gets a sad, afterthought plate at our events.
Tortilla chips made in-house. Salsas and dips crafted fresh. The kind of details that make guests ask "wait, who catered this?" — then ask for the number.
Tell us the party theme and we'll match the menu to it — whether that's a tropical pool party or a princess birthday spread. Kids and adults both leave happy.
The Food
Shots from past events — each one a custom menu, each one a party people still talk about.
All menus are fully custom. Don't see what you're looking for? She can make it.
Request a Custom MenuBar Service
A solo bartending experience built around your party vibe — custom cocktails, mocktails, and a drink menu your guests will actually remember. We design the menu with you, then quote ingredients separately so you only pay for what your drink list actually needs.
3-hour bartending experience when booked with catering
3-hour bartending experience, standalone
The Process
We keep it easy so you can focus on actually enjoying your party.
Call or text and tell us about your event — the date, guest count, vibe, and any dietary needs. The more you share, the better we can design for you.
Denise builds a menu around your event and your guests. Latin-inspired, Italian-American, fully plant-based, or a mix — designed with your celebration in mind. Bar clients also get a full cocktail menu and a separate quote for ingredients once the drink list is set.
Food is prepped in a commercial kitchen and finalized onsite. No catering chaos, no mess. You host, guests eat incredibly well, everyone wins.
What People Say
"I've been to a lot of catered events. Denise's food is the first time I've ever stopped mid-party to find out who made it. The food alone was worth every penny — and then some."
— Guest at a private birthday party, Thousand Oaks
Book Denise
Tell her about your event and she'll get back to you with ideas. No pressure, no packages — just a real conversation about your celebration.
Tell her about your event