Peter’s Delicatessen survives the hard times to supply Cuenca with the best meats, cheeses and wine

Mar 8, 2025 | 0 comments

I recently had the pleasure of renewing my conversation with one of Cuenca’s most remarkable small business owners, Peter Strzga, owner and operator of Peter’s Delicatessen (a collaborative effort with Lenny Charnoff of Cuenca Salmon.) I was so impressed following my last visit that I could barely wait to see what surprises were in store … and in the store. I was not disappointed.

Peter Strzga established a successful business in his adopted country during a particularly challenging period: the entire world was battling a deadly air-born virus, which was followed by electricity blackouts forced by record-shattering drought. Now, by most accounts, one would expect that the storyline here would be that hard work and determination guarantee success. But this is not the case.

Here, we have a much quieter story. Here is a man following a dream, guided by a commitment to be his best to all he serves. It is like a religion. On every occasion that I have visited his delicatessen, I immediately felt I had Peter’s complete attention. He believes — fervently believes — that direct service to others is the highest calling, be it choosing a great cheese pairing with a glass of excellent wine, suggesting a marinade for flank steak needing no more than moments over a very hot fire, or casually letting a nervous customer know they can relax, they are loved and cared for in his capable hands.

Peter Strzga was born in Poland during the Soviet occupation. There is no sugarcoating it. He grew up in the deepest caverns of hell.

I suppose one gets used to it after a while, the empty spaces once filled by friends, no longer hoping because the answer is too often the same. The many moments of melancholy: a shawl stitched of mourning the weight of vapor. The pain will subside. That is the way of life. The scars, however, will last forever, so you can remember where you’ve been.

I asked Peter about finding his way to Cuenca and if he felt at home. His answer was quite telling.

“When I was young, I wrapped myself in the banner of my homeland.” he said during an off-guarded moment, “I embraced it like a hank of cotton, but all of that thread was stitched away over time, and only the wooden spool was left.”

Peter said he has many friends and family here and loves to participate in cultural festivals. He is nicely settled, happy, and serene in his new home. We wish him continued success.

Oh, just a bit more. My wife is the practical one in our household. She was impressed by this:

30% of Peter’s business provides Cuenca’s finest restaurants with quality meats and cheeses.
Peter’s has free delivery in Cuenca.

Peter carefully selects his cheeses and makes all his sausages, relying on old-world techniques and proper aging. He imports some of his European cheeses to “rest” here for another year before offering it to his customers.