There is nothing I love more than fried food! Bad for my body but good for the soul lol. I recently visited and chatted with Yadira Stamp, the owner and Chef of Esencias Panamenas. I visited her restaurant a few days ago and I could not believe I never heard about it until then! Every dish served was delicious and I’m already planning the next visit with my one and only Panamanian Friend Kimberly. Learn more about Yadira’s story below – another inspiring story from a boss lady in DC.
1. How many years have you been in business?
I have been in business since 2010, as a Caterer and since 2015, as a Restauranteur
2. What inspired the name of your business?
Esencias Panameñas (Panamanian Spices). I chose this name because of the distinctive spices that we have in Panama, primarily the “culantro” (not cilantro) that causes a unique aroma and flavor that is as pleasing to the senses as it is to the palate
3. How did you get into your line of work?
My mother was a caterer so I have been around food all of my life. Although I never had interest in making it my primary line of work, once my mom passed, her clients began calling to ask me when their fruitcake would be ready for pick-up. I called my mom’s best friend for help and was able to bake the fruitcakes just in time for the holidays. When my mother’s old clients said that my cake was tastier than hers, that ultimately inspired my second passion – food!
4. What do you love most about being located in DC?
Foot traffic, public transportation accessible, and being in the “Nation’s Capitol”. I get to enjoy the benefits that DC has to offer to entrepreneurs, especially women
5. Share with us and our readers an insider’s tip into your favorite spots or activities in the city.
My favorite spot is “Lady Bird”. That is where I would go when I was down or upset. I would find the water to be calming and soothing. I would watch the planes take off or land. That is where I would meditate and plan and strategize. In fact, that is where I came up with the name for my business. I also love Salsa music and salsa dancing; I considered myself a “salsera” and DC had the best Salsa spots in the DMV, starting with Chelsea’s in Georgetown, which was like the Copacabana of NYC. That is where you would see people like Marc Anthony whenever he was in DC before becoming famous. Then there was Zanzibar on the waterfront in SW, and Havana Village in Columbia Heights.
6. Do you have a special promotion, event you’d like for our readers to know about?
I will host my one-year anniversary party on Saturday, July 23rd. Fans of the restaurant are encouraged to stop by between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to enjoy Specials from our Sábados De Fritanga, or Guilty Pleasure weekend menu, Happy Hour drinks, live music, and raffle prizes.
