Maria Ponce

Maria Ponce, originally from a small town in northern Sonora, Mexico, got her love of food at a young age by cooking with her dad.

She began her professional training in American hotels, giving special credit to The Greenbrier. This renowned establishment, known for its exceptional service, food, and people, is where Maria learned essential culinary techniques and the art of infusing love into each dish.

Returning to her home country, Maria explored modern fine dining and molecular gastronomy in Guadalajara before heading to El Valle de Guadalupe. There, she joined the team at Corazon de Tierra, a prestigious restaurant ranked among the 50 Best Latin American Restaurants worldwide. At Corazon de Tierra, Maria and her colleagues crafted dishes from scratch, guided by the daily harvest.

Her most recent work in Mexico was at Rio Viejo, a traditional Mexican restaurant where she skillfully blended the finest culinary techniques with the rich, traditional flavors of the region.

In January 2022, Maria embarked on a new career chapter by moving to Vancouver, where she now serves as the Head Chef at La Taqueria.