María grew up with a love for cooking and her family. She is well-experienced in Mediterranean cuisine and authentic Spanish cooking.

Learn more about her fond memories of cooking and find her experiences below!

What is your favourite childhood memory of food? What flavours take you back to that childhood memory?

Those family Sundays gathered around the table, sharing an amazing paella made by my mother. The flavour that takes me back is the cinnamon flavor of freshly made rice pudding.

What inspired your love of food?

My interest from a very young age in taking care of myself and that entails having a healthy lifestyle based on three fundamental pillars: healthy eating, sports and stress management. The curious thing is that that beginning led me to enjoy cooking, both rescuing traditional Spanish recipes and incorporating more modern ones.

What do you love most about hosting guests?

It is a perfect pairing between social relations and gastronomy. I find it very enriching to mix with other cultures and at the same time be able to make my guests get to know each other and enjoy my local cuisine. And finally, without a doubt, I find the recognition I feel from my guests very gratifying.

What new flavours or cuisines are you hoping to try this year?

I would like to continue discovering Portuguese cuisine. I think they have quite rich and interesting gastronomy.

Where in the world have you tasted the best food?

Although it is wrong to say myself, because I am Spanish, without a doubt the Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine for me is one of the best. We are privileged to have that liquid gold, extra virgin olive oil, the basis of all our gastronomy.

What ingredient would you take with you to a deserted island?

Extra virgin olive oil.

How has the social climate of the past two years affected you professionally?

It affected me very negatively because all the gastronomic events were suspended and it was hard. I’m happy to be hosting guests again!

To find out more about the authentic Spanish experiences María hosts, click here.

Find more interviews with our hosts here.