Carúpano Kitchen

Our Story

Carúpano Kitchen was born out of family, heritage, and a love for sharing food.

Back in high school, Andrea realized that her arepas, prepared by her mother with the flavors of her hometown Carúpano, were unlike anything her classmates had ever tasted. Stuffed with chorizo carupanero, cazón, or morcilla, these foil-wrapped breakfasts became the envy of her peers. What started as sharing bites quickly turned into selling 15-20 arepas a day. With her mom as the chef and Andrea as the salesperson, this mother-daughter duo unknowingly began their first business together.

Years passed, and life took Andrea from Caracas to the United States. She studied, worked in sales, and built a career, but she never stopped making arepas for friends, parties, or anyone willing to try a taste of home. Every shared arepa carried with it the joy, warmth, and resilience of her Venezuelan roots.

After 15 years in the U.S. and a life-changing sabbatical, Andrea realized it was time to return to where it all began. Carúpano Kitchen is not just a business, it’s a love letter to her mother’s cooking, her family’s history, and the flavors of the Venezuelan coast.

Today, Andrea and her mom are once again business partners, bringing authentic arepas and flavors from Carúpano to Tampa Bay!