Hello! My name is Mary and I was born and raised in Tampa, FL. I’m a true Florida girl at heart with a serious love of fresh seafood and Latin/Caribbean cuisine. Throw in some native-dishes and some Southern favorites, and I’m a happy camper. 
I’m a third generation Floridian on my mom’s side. That is very unusual in these parts as everyone tends to migrate here from out of state. I was blessed with a Sicilian “Nano” and a Cuban grandmother (Nana). Henry and Olga Marchetta were both born in Ybor City – a historic area outside downtown Tampa – in the early 1900’s. During that time, and mostly to this day, Ybor City was a melting pot of cultures and cuisine.
Luckily, both Nano and Nana loved to cook, and grew up making their traditional family recipes. Along with my mom and siblings, I was fortunate to grow up near a warm kitchen with something always on the stove. Whether that was Nano’s “Sunday” sauce with homemade meatballs, Italian sausage, and a pork shank; or Nana’s excellent yellow rice and chicken or black bean soup.
Not surprisingly, I caught the cooking bug from both of them. Cooking for me is truly a way to show the people in my life the love that I feel for them. While by no means a professional, I do have about 20 years of experience reading LOTS of books, watching too many cooking shows, and spending countless hours trying out new dishes… Mostly with a lot of success and happy stomachs, but sometimes with the occasional dud (life happens, and then you order pizza).
One more thing… Besides cooking, I do love to eat. And drink. Shocker, I know.
When not in the kitchen, I love to explore new local joints and hang out at my favorites. Luckily, I live in a very cool little town with the classic Americana “Main Street.” In addition to the fantastic food, we have eight (yes, 8!!!) breweries/distilleries all within walking distance of each other.
This blog is something I’ll work on in my spare time as I’m creating new dishes and cooking old favorites. Visiting cool places and eating new things. Drinking beer and the occasional cocktail or two. I’m looking forward to sharing adventures. Welcome, and cheers!