From his home kitchen in Monrovia, Richard Gomez Trejo has turned his passion for food into a business, wrapping delicious wraps that he delivers throughout Los Angeles County.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Richard, who worked as a kitchen designer for a popular home improvement store, came up with the idea of ??preparing chicken wraps to take to his coworkers.

“My coworkers really liked them; and I asked them if they would be willing to spend $10 for a wrap. They said yes, and started asking me when I was going to bring my wraps.”

Richard created a variety of wraps with wheat flour tortillas and different proteins, dressings, pestos, and vegetables: Italian-American wraps with mortadella, pepperoni, salami, tomatoes, pesto, pickles, and cheddar or pepper jack cheese; or rotisserie chicken wraps with cabbage, onion, cilantro dressing, and pepperoncinis; and other versions.

His favorite and most popular wrap is the one he calls Tri Tip with sun-dried tomato pesto.

“The chicken salad doesn't have mayonnaise but a cilantro and cotija cheese dressing. It surprises you. It has a tangy touch, and then I add pepper and cheese. It's so good because it's so different; people already love it.”

He clarifies that he adapts to the customer's preferences, such as when they tell him they don't like onions or some other ingredient.

For a while, Richard continued his job as a kitchen designer, and at the same time, on his days off, he prepared his wraps and took them to sell to his coworkers.

Due to the positive response, in 2024, after running the numbers, he talked to his wife and convinced her that he could make the wraps a business.

“She gave permission me. So I quit my job as a designer to focus on the wraps.”

She learned about the Los Angeles County MEHKO (Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation) program online.

“I researched it further and discovered it was a legitimate way to prepare and sell food outside the home. I thought, 'This would be perfect, "Because I don't have to rent a space. I can do it here, in my great kitchen,“and that's what made it possible.” She then gathered all the necessary information requested by the Department of Health, and when MEHKO opened, she completed the application and took an eight-hour online course to obtain a food handler's certificate. “They sent an inspector who approved my kitchen, and I got my permit, but I still needed my business license from the city of Monrovia.” It wasn't until this year, on January 6, that she finally got it. Once she had everything in order to operate her business, Wraps up GOmeztrejo, she set about approaching different companies to ask if they would let her give away free samples of her food. “My wraps are delicious, but I have to try to get people to try them.” “That's how I've built up my clientele.”

The MEHKO program offers three options: prepare food and have people pick it up; turn your home into a restaurant, especially the patio; and the third is to take orders and deliver them, which is what Richard does.

How has the experience been so far?

“It's been fantastic. In fact, I was the third finalist in the New Business of the Year competition in Monrovia. I had no idea I'd be nominated, because I only make wraps, I'm not a restaurant.”

He shares that the feeling of knowing someone likes his food is incredible.

“When a gentleman who tried my food for the first time told me it was delicious, I replied that he was going to sleep very well that night. And I said it from the heart, because it feels so good when someone likes what you do.”

Richard says cooking is his passion and always has been; so getting paid for his creations is very rewarding, especially when people like his food and keep coming back for his wraps.

He says that while he was in the process of completing all the paperwork, he learned that the Cook Academy offered an eight-week online course, and upon graduation, they gave a $3,000 scholarship.

He was very disappointed when he wasn't selected despite his effort, but he was lucky enough to meet the person who created the seminar, who promised to review his application, which resulted in him being selected and receiving the scholarship.

“It was excellent because I was able to make a lot of connections with great people who are doing the same thing.”

Are the MEHKO program requirements easy to fulfill?

“To For people who want to do this from the kitchen of a rental apartment, it can be a bit difficult because sometimes the landlord simply doesn't allow it. Perhaps they don't want people constantly coming to the apartment to pick up food.So perhaps that person should consider home delivery.”

He emphasized that the MEHKO program allows the Los Angeles County Department of Health to waive the $597 application fee.

“The waiver of the fee to the Department of Health is for the first 1,000 applicants, and apparently there are 300 under this program in the county. Therefore, there are 700 opportunities left to save almost $600 on the application fee.”

Who are your clients?

“My clients are in Pasadena. They are employees of high-end car dealerships like Volvo, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Porsche, etc. I found them by knocking on their doors and taking samples to the service staff and salespeople, and they started placing orders. “I have clients at Barn Hard School in Arcadia, and all over the place.” He says he usually dedicates Mondays or any free time he has to finding new clients. “Like yesterday, I was in Irwindale, near Costco, and there are a lot of industrial areas, and there aren't any fast-food restaurants nearby. So I went knocking on doors, gave them samples and a menu.” Richard confesses that he is truly happy and excited about his business. “I designed interiors for 37 years, the last five or six I focused on kitchens, but now I'm where I was always meant to be.” Food is a good option because we all still eat. My goal is to earn people's trust so they try my wraps and I can continue to grow.”

You can find Wraps to GOmeztrejo at 626-422-5777; or email wrapstogomeztrejo@gmail.com.

The MEHKOs program allows Angelenos to prepare and sell meals directly from their home kitchens to the public.

In May 2024, the program was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Environmental Health Division of the DPH Department of Public Health, who began issuing permits last November.

“Home cooks are part of the cultural and culinary heart of Los Angeles. County, and are often the primary source of affordable and meaningful meals for their communities,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity.

“The MEHKO program creates a clear and supportive pathway so that these entrepreneurs can operate legally, safely, and sustainably. By helping more businesses integrate into the formal economy, we are creating pathways for entrepreneurship and strengthening the small business ecosystem that drives our neighborhoods.”

According to state law and the Los Angeles County MEHKO Ordinance, MEHKOs can serve up to 30 meals per day and 90 meals per week, with annual gross sales not exceeding $100,000. All food must be prepared, cooked, and served in the home kitchen. The program is administered by the DPH, which ensures compliance with the California Health and Safety Code through permits, inspections, and public health oversight. “The Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations program offers residents the opportunity to turn their culinary talents into thriving home-based businesses while sharing the rich cultural traditions that make our communities so vibrant,” said the doctor.Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

“This program is especially relevant for those who have historically faced barriers to entering the food industry, such as women, immigrants, and people with limited economic resources.”

She maintained that by helping residents manage permits and supporting them in complying with food safety standards, they are not only protecting public health, but also fostering economic opportunities, promoting equity, and investing in the well-being of neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County.

For information on the MEHKO Ordinance and permits, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/microenterprise-home-kitchen-operation.htm

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