Traveling the world and her mom are two strong influences that helped to shape Chef Maria. As far back as she can remember growing up in Brazil, Maria was the prep cook at home stirring pots that she was not even tall enough to see into. Her passion for cooking and desire to better the world led her to culinary school and studying environmental engineering and eventually sustainable cuisine.  

Ten years ago Maria left her homeland in South America to experience something she had never known before, the mountain lifestyle. She started her American life in Vail, where she fell in love with snowboarding, and then moved to Washington to further her knowledge in farm to table cooking and menu development that synchronized with the seasons and local farmers.

Missing the mountains and her new outdoor passions, Maria decided to come back to the Rocky Mountains.  Arriving in Vail during the off-season, Maria knocked on Sweet Basil’s closed door requesting a job. Although she was a great fit both professionally and personally with Sweet Basil, she has a natural connection to and skill of creation with the open fire used at Mountain Standard. When the opportunity presented itself, Maria was promoted to Sous Chef of Mountain Standard in 2018 then accepted a new challenge to be a Sous Chef at Sweet Basil in 2019.

In 2020 Colorado Restaurant Association named Maria “Chef of the Year” which is a great honor. 2021 started with Maria coming back to Mountain Standard, this time in the well deserved Head Chef/Chef de Cuisine position.