Lulú Pedraza, renowned chef and promoter of traditional northeastern cuisine, passed away this Saturday, April 26th, at the age of 74. In addition to her invaluable work preserving the flavors of northeastern Mexico, she was a driving force behind PLAYERS’ Restaurant’s Choice, an event now considered the most important in the culinary scene in Monterrey, Guadalajara, Torreón, and Saltillo. Her legacy lives on in every dish and in every chef she inspired.
More than 50 years promoting the flavors of Nuevo León
Since she was a child, Lulú Pedraza found her natural language in the kitchen. Nurtured among the aromas and flavors of her home in Monterrey, she took her passion to another level: not only did she cook, but she also documented, taught, and spread the culinary roots of her land for more than half a century.
Over time, her name became synonymous with authenticity and dedication.
Pioneer of Gastronomy on Television
After studying Business Administration in San Antonio, Texas, Lulú returned to the capital of Nuevo León, where her love of cooking ultimately guided her career. In the 1970s, she began teaching cooking classes and soon made the leap into media.
Her natural charisma led her to television, first with appearances on the program Esta Mañana and then as the host of her own program, Las Delicias de Lulú, broadcast live for more than 30 years.
During her career, she spoke and cooked with artists, politicians, and local figures, from tamale vendors to renowned international businessmen.
Guardian of Regional Cuisine: Recognitions
Lulú Pedraza traveled to each of Nuevo León’s 51 municipalities to discover and preserve traditional recipes. Her expeditions, many accompanied by her daughter Bárbara, became a life mission: to rescue the flavors, techniques, and ingredients that define the identity of northeastern Mexico.
For her, each dish was a bridge between generations, a story deserving of being told and shared.
Her dedication led her to receive numerous awards, both in Mexico and abroad. Among them, her appointment as Ambassador of the Gastronomic Society of Fideuá of Spain and as Delegate of the Conservatory of Gastronomic Culture of Nuevo León stands out.
In 2022, she was honored at the tenth edition of PLAYERS’ Restaurant’s Choice, an event where her enthusiasm and love for cooking left an indelible mark.
A loss that deeply hurts
Lulú Pedraza’s passing leaves a void in Northeastern cuisine and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Beyond her professional achievements, those around her highlight her warmth, her unwavering faith, her contagious joy, and her tireless passion for sharing.
Her legacy transcends recipes: she lives on in the culinary identity she helped preserve and in the affection of a community that saw her as an irreplaceable pillar.
Thank you, Lulú, for teaching us that gastronomy is also love.
Source: playersoflife
