About Us

My name is Maritza, and cooking isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

I was raised in the kitchen, where food, family, and love were always at the center of life. From a young age, I stood beside my mother, Mama Gaby, learning to prepare flavorful stews—beef, chicken, fish—and the kind of sancocho that warms your soul. Even as a child, I was already experimenting: “Mama, try this… what if we add that herb?” The kitchen became my playground and my passion.

As I grew, so did my love for food. I began cooking full meals for our family, using herbs my mother grew and ingredients we picked up at the local market. One Christmas, I received a little pressure cooker—it quickly became my most prized possession. Cooking over a kerosene stove back then was pure magic.

Life eventually took me in other directions. I finished school, studied journalism, and even worked in media producing commercials. But my heart always stayed in the kitchen. I’ve had the honor of cooking for political leaders and public figures, but no matter who I’m feeding, I pour the same love, culture, and soul into every bite.

Today, I bring the flavors of my home—Tura—to the Peninsula and Bay Area. Through Pimiento Catering, I offer a unique culinary experience rooted in tradition, elevated by creativity. With every dish, I invite you to taste the richness of my heritage: the coconut, the ancestral fruits, the exotic herbs, and the stories behind them all.