Maricel Presilla facts for kids

Maricel Presilla is a talented chef, a food historian, and an author. She is famous for her restaurants, Cucharamama and Zafra, located in Hoboken, New Jersey. Before becoming a chef, she taught history at Rutgers University.

About Maricel Presilla

Maricel Presilla made history as the first Latin American woman invited to be a guest chef at the White House. This is a very special honor for a chef. She has also received many important awards for her work.

Awards and Recognition

Maricel Presilla has been recognized many times for her amazing cooking and writing. She was nominated twice for journalism awards from the James Beard Foundation. These awards are like the "Oscars" for chefs and food writers.

She was nominated four times for a James Beard Foundation Award for her cooking. On May 7, 2012, she won the award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region. This was a big achievement for her.

Her cookbook, Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America, also won a major award. On May 4, 2013, the James Beard Foundation named it Cookbook of the Year. Another group, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, also called it the best general cookbook on April 9, 2013.

In September 2009, she received the Silver Spoon Award from Food Arts magazine. This award celebrates her excellent work in the culinary arts.

Her Restaurants and Shops

Maricel Presilla is the chef and co-owner of Cucharamama in Hoboken, New Jersey. She also owns Zafra and Ultramarinos. Ultramarinos is a special Latin American marketplace, bakery, and chocolate shop. All her businesses are in Hoboken.

She is an expert in the delicious foods of Latin America and Spain. Her restaurants bring these amazing flavors to people in New Jersey.

Her Background and Studies

Maricel Presilla has a deep understanding of history and culture. She earned a doctorate degree in medieval Spanish history from New York University. She also studied cultural anthropology, which is the study of human societies and cultures. She used to teach history at Rutgers University.

Her studies help her understand the history and traditions behind the food she cooks. This makes her dishes even more special.

Work with Cacao and Chocolate

Maricel Presilla has a special interest in chocolate. She has studied tropical crops like cacao (where chocolate comes from) and vanilla. She also learned a lot about how chocolate is made.

She is the president of Gran Cacao Company. This company researches Latin American chocolate and sells high-quality cacao beans. She is also a founder and Grand Jury member of the International Chocolate Awards, which are based in London.

Writing and Advisory Roles

Since 2003, Maricel Presilla has written a food column called Cocina for the Miami Herald newspaper. She shares her knowledge and recipes with many readers.

She is also part of the advisory board for the Latin American food studies program at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio. This means she helps guide how students learn about Latin American food. In 2012, she became the chairman of a scholarship fund for the James Beard Foundation. She also helps guide the Fine Chocolate Industry Association.