Meet Mariola: The Creative Force Behind Food Room's Unique Events

HELLO

I’m Mariola Ustaran, the founder of Food Room.
In 2017, after closing a rewarding chapter in the corporate world, I took the leap and launched my own project—filled with nerves, excitement, and a lifelong passion for cooking.

What began as a small cooking school has now grown into a vibrant space for private chef services, tailored catering, and culinary workshops made to bring people together.

Nice to meet you

Born Curious, Raised by Flavour

My love for food started early. I was lucky to travel with my family as a child, discovering flavours and traditions along the way. I’ve always been curious—about ingredients, techniques, and the stories behind every dish.

Even as I built a career in hospitality and business management, I never lost that connection with the kitchen.

Learning the World, One Dish at a Time

In 1992, I moved to Glion sur Montreux, Switzerland, to study Hotel Management.
After graduating, I joined the Tamanaco Hotel in Caracas as a management trainee in the Food & Beverage department for Intercontinental Hotels.

Over the years, I worked in Caracas, Miami, Chicago, and Austin—always close to the kitchen, whether I was managing teams or discovering new food spots after hours. Arepas, Texan BBQs, and anything worth tasting—I was there.

Seville, Guatemala, Bangkok, and Beyond

In 2001, I returned to Seville and shifted into training and consulting, mostly across Central America—especially Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

Work trips became flavour journeys, and I made it my mission to try the most traditional local dishes everywhere I went.
And when I wasn’t working, I was travelling for the sheer joy of food—Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Hong Kong, Kenya, Japan. Every destination brought something new to the table.

Where Food Room Was Born

After ten years managing a hospitality school on the Costa del Sol, I decided to stay and build something of my own.

I opened Food Room in Guadalmina, Marbella, where I now live with my husband and son.
This is where everything comes together: food, hosting, events, and the joy of connecting with people from all over the world.

More Than One Pair of Hands

Food Room may have started as my idea, but I’m never alone in making it all happen.

I work side by side with Janne Ribeiro, my brilliant Brazilian partner. She brings calm, detail, professionalism, and just enough madness to match mine.

Together, we create food experiences that feel natural, personal, and made just for you.
Got something in mind? Let’s make it happen.