Our Story

Hi everyone Marco here - 3 Years ago, I was diagnosed with Diabetes after flatlining in a Sharp Memorial hospital bed.  My blood sugar levels were registered at over 1400 - 10x normal levels and I weighed over 350 pounds. After my near-death experience, I decided to use my 30+ years of professional cooking experience to turn my life around. Since 2016 I have lost over 125 pounds using healthy, delicious meals that don't compromise taste for health. One of the biggest things I have missed, however, is sugar-free desserts. After finding that there are few if any market options for healthy desserts, I set out to invent my own, coming up with a delicious chocolate mousse cake I call “The Cooking Penguin.” Since then, I have invented 2 more cakes and two cookie recipes with many more in the works once we launch. I also hope to share my amazing techniques, cooking recipes, and story with as many people as possible in the hope of inspiring those with diabetes to cook healthier, more delicious meals. 

You can find our products in the following independent grocery markets in San Diego County; 

Escondido

  • Major Market

Fallbrook

  • Major Market

La Mesa

  • Frazier Farms

Oceanside

  • Frazier Farms

Point Loma

  • Jensen's Foods
  • Stump's Family Marketplace

San Carlos

  • Keil's Fresh Food Store

Vista

  • Frazier Farms

Why Penguins?

We choose penguins because they are Marco's favorite animal and for many years were a symbol of hope for him when he was struggling with his weight and purpose. We wanted our brand to represent love, community, fun, and have a playful, cute element that we think is perfectly captured by our baby penguin mascot. We hope that our cooking penguin brand will become a symbol of great taste and hope for those with diabetes who have struggled to balance a sugar-free lifestyle with sweet tooth cravings and difficulty cooking healthy but tasty meals.

Meet our Family

Randy Gerson

THE MARKETING PENGUIN 

When he isn’t working The Cooking Penguin’s marketing, sales channels or playing hockey, Randy helps businesses grow and overcome scaling challenges. With over 30 year of Sales and Marketing experience, Randy has successfully helped businesses launch and test new products, new strategies, new campaigns, and new channels.

Marco Gaona

THE COOKING PENGUIN 

In 2017, after an unforeseen near-death experience from complications caused by Type 2 Diabetes and a high-stress work environment, Marco knew his life would have to change or he would not see his son graduate high school. 

Using his 30+ years of experience as a professional executive chef, Marco set out on a path of healthy cooking and eating. Since his hospital visit, he’s lost over 100 lbs and 14 pant sizes, regained energy he’d thought forever lost, and established a lifestyle of healthy eating without compromising taste or quality. 

As head chef at The Cooking Penguin, he is confident that our sugar-free cakes and desserts will be some of the best desserts you have ever tasted – with or without sugar. 

Nathaniel Hosmer

THE FINANCE PENGUIN 

During the day, Nathaniel helps large companies manage their money as an analyst at StepStone Group. By night, he is The Cooking Penguin’s financial guru, navigating our legal, business, and financial operations. He is our primary point-of-contact for contract inquiries, financial negotiations and vendor pricing discussions. 

His spreadsheet skills are awe-inspiring but don’t let that fool you – he has a passion for cooking too.