Wilton’s Newest Business Opens as a Simply Delicious Destination

For one local chef, a simple approach to satisfying customers with good food has proven to be Simply Delicious — so delicious it’s baked into the name of the business she created.

Now, Simply Delicious’ founder Lauren Peden has expanded her longtime catering and food service business by opening a walk-in store in Wilton that specializes in prepared foods and customized catering. The new shop is located just inside Wilton’s border with Norwalk at One Danbury Rd.

“We never had this kind of exposure before and we’ve grown enough now that it felt like the time was right to do it,” Peden said, calling herself lucky. “It gave us the kitchen space, the event space, and the retail space kind of all in one, so no regrets. So far, so good.”

Peden founded the business years ago after attending the French Culinary Institute (now known as the International Culinary Center) in New York. She said her love of food and her excitement to try new things in the kitchen continue to lead her along a path paved in creative fare.

Lauren’s longtime partner in the business is her mother, Tracy. While she originally helped her daughter out in the afternoons following her day job hours, as Lauren got busier, Tracy eventually came on to serve as her working partner.

“She got busy and she needed somebody she could count on,” Tracy said of the decision to jump in full-time with her daughter about 18 years ago.

“She’s always been into food,” Tracy said of her daughter, who worked at a pizza place while still in high school and has always been excited by creating new dishes.

“We change the menu constantly,” she said. “We’re always updating. We’re seasonal. We’ve always been involved with the farmer’s markets in the area, and we’ve always kind of created our menus based on what’s fresh and available.”

Starting Small

Lauren’s first foray into her own business was operating a food stand, first at a dental office and then later at the Norwalk Library.

“She made fresh salad, and chicken salad, bacon, egg & cheeses,” her mom recalled.

Appreciation for Peden’s food ultimately led to her opening food stands at several area YMCAs, including New Canaan, Westport and Wilton, as well as developing a mobile catering business, which took off.

She rented a kitchen in a communal space on Wilson Ave. in Norwalk, supplying her food stands, as well as preparing her food truck for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and birthday parties.

Peden’s menu seems to know no boundaries, with quiches and frittatas, salmon, steak, lamb and chicken artichoke lasagna among the many and varied items found there.

“We make coconut chicken nuggets and Moroccan spice-rubbed salmon and pumpkin rolls,” she said, noting that she offers some seemingly familiar dishes done differently, along with a range of some traditional standards.

“We’re kind of a little bit of everything,” Lauren said.

“We do loads of food for the holidays,” Tracy added. “She does pretty much anything … If she can, she will.”

Keeping Customers Coming Back for More

Although the pandemic provided some setbacks to the operation of Simply Delicious, including the cessation of the various food stands, the business has since continued to expand. Just a few months ago, in need of a larger space, they found the Wilton location. Along with offering a large kitchen, it also has a room for hosting parties and gatherings for clients.

Longtime customer Elizabeth Grimm of Norwalk sang the Pedens’ praises.

“The options are endless with their rotating grab-and-go dishes,” she said, noting that even some of her pickier family members have loved the food, including a popular shepherd’s pie, soups, and “Nana’s Cheesecake.”

“I watch Instagram every week to see what on the SD menu,” Grimm said. “The place is a godsend … They literally simplified my life regarding meals in our home.”

“I have worked exclusively with them for all of my catering needs,” Christine Buttling of Norwalk said. “They have catered my parties and holidays since they opened their doors.”

Buttling described the food as consistently “perfect” over the 25 years with which she has worked with them.

“They are friendly and professional,” she said. “I have recommended and continue to recommend them to this day. It is always a pleasure working with them.”

Lauren expressed great appreciation for her customers, whom she described as continually loyal.

“I would never have been able to do this if I didn’t have loyal customers,” she said. “I’m very lucky.”

For more information, visit the Simply Delicious website.