Chef Braunda Smith is the proud owner and executive chef of Lucy Cooper’s Ice House in San Antonio, Texas. Together with her husband, Jesse Smith, who runs the bar program, she manages the operations of her small business. Braunda is a mother of six, a wife, and a businesswoman who has become the spokesperson for the bar industry in Texas since the pandemic began.
Braunda is a Southern girl who was born in Macon, Georgia. She grew up cooking with her family and was influenced by their Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as traditional stick-to-your-bones Southern cooking. She attended Windsor Academy, which produced notable celebrities like Nancy Grace, Jason Aldean, and now, Chef Braunda Smith!
Braunda’s culinary journey began when she lived in South Korea, where she started offering meal prep kits to pilots to heat and eat. She also spent her days cooking with her landlady, Mrs. Song, who taught her how to prepare traditional Korean dishes. Braunda, in turn, taught her family traditional Southern dishes such as fried chicken, gumbo, and red beans and rice.
Moving to Hawaii reignited Braunda’s passion for cooking, which laid the groundwork for the birth of Lucy Cooper’s Ice House. Braunda and Jesse have worked in the culinary industry for years, having graduated from what she calls “bar university” or the school of hard knocks. After being unexpectedly let go from the company where they had worked for 10 years, Braunda and Jesse decided to open their own business. They were able to fast-track their five-year plan in just five months and bring Lucy Cooper’s Ice House to life.
Lucy Cooper’s Ice House is a chef-forward bar and restaurant that offers more than just food – they offer “dinner and a show.” Braunda creates dishes that are fun, charming, and funky-cool, just like her. She pulls inspiration from all over the world, but her Southern and Texas roots are evident in her creations. The Tin Can Nachos, Boudreaux’s Clothesline Bacon, Chicken Fried Deviled Eggs, Pimento Cheese Stuffed Okra Poppers, Fried Green Tomato BLT, Krispy Kreme Burger, and Cooper’s Cluckers are just some of the menu items that offer more than just a meal.
Braunda believes that food can give us very nostalgic flavors and experiences that remind us of moments spent at the movie theatre, ballpark, or playing T-ball as a kid. Memories have smells, and she puts her own twist on them, creating unique culinary experiences that transport diners back in time.
Lucy Cooper’s Ice House is more than just a restaurant. It has become an extension of Braunda and Jesse’s dreams, a place where they can showcase their creativity and hard work. It has a vibe that is contagious and offers an “aha” moment that they did it – they made their dreams a reality.
In conclusion, Braunda Smith is the Southern girl behind Lucy Cooper’s Ice House, a chef-forward bar and restaurant that offers “dinner and a show.” She and her husband, Jesse, have worked hard to make their dreams a reality, and Lucy Cooper’s Ice House has become an extension of their dreams. Braunda’s culinary journey began in Georgia and took her to South Korea and Hawaii, where she was able to fully reignite her passion for cooking. Braunda’s dishes are fun, charming, and funky-cool, offering more than just a meal – they offer unique culinary experiences that transport diners back in time.
