Meet Chef Laura Rivera: Founder & Executive Chef of The Laurita Group

I always knew I was going to be a chef. I started baking when I was a little girl at the age of 4. I loved mixing the creamy batter and taking in the warm smells that came from the oven as I waited for my chocolate chip cookies. Then at the age of 10, I began making breads, sweet potato and pumpkin pies for my family. By high school, I was creating my own recipes and menus. I found joy in the fun of cooking as a teen, blending sweet and salty flavors, and adding bright color to my dishes with fresh fruits and vegetables.

I knew I wanted to be a chef when I asked my mom if I could go to culinary school and she told me to hit the books. Wanting to make her proud, I ended up pursuing a career in healthcare and worked in the industry for 10 years, never letting go of my love for the kitchen. I'd travelled through Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Greece, Turkey, Germany--learning from the chefs, the cultures, and the rich, dynamic flavors of each new place. I'd come home inspired, taking what I'd learned and recreating dishes from around the world. I knew I was meant to be a chef.

The Laurita Group was born--a team of highly-skilled chefs, culinary enthusiasts, event planners, and hospitality experts collaborating to offer top-tier culinary and lifestyle experiences.

Food is love. Food is health. Food is vitality. We feed you all of these things when we prepare an exquisite, flavorful meal for you. That's what our food is all about, carefully sourcing the best ingredients, herbs and spices. Cutting, heating, and tossing them together, infusing their distinct flavors. Beautiful plating, which for me is like creating a work of art, an enjoyment for your eyes. Spicy, sweet scents for your nose.

That is love--a full-body unforgettable experience.

Community, love, and family are what inspired The Laurita Group. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved food, and I’ve loved people. The Laurita Group strives to reflect this level of love and care in our food, service and hospitality, leaving our guests with a feeling and experience that they’ll never forget. It all started with Family Dinners with our best friends back in 2017, filled with laughs and savory moments, now grown to our Private Dining Experiences now. For me, bringing people together always begins with a meal.

The last piece of advice? Travel... it's a life changing experience. Life is warm and good. Food is life.