Chef Mary Kay Bader is the chef behind Maya Beach Hotel Bistro, which is a two-time winner of the “Restaurant of the Year”honor from the Belize Tourism Board. We were able to get an interview with her about her culinary background, their restaurant, and a few cooking tips.
Chef Mary Kay Bader of Maya Beach Bistro in Belize
FriendsEAT: Describe the cuisine served at Maya Beach Hotel Bistro.
Chef Mary Kay Bader: The contemporary Caribbean cuisine at Maya Beach Bistro draws from Belizean and regional influences, and is heavy with indigineous ingredients such as plantains, callaloo, tropical fruits and seafood caught daily by local fisherman.
FE: What makes the restaurant special?
Chef Bader: Maya Beach Bistro is casual without sacrificing the attention to detail that makes a dining experience unforgettable. The open air dining room is just a few steps away from the water and the smell of the ocean breeze mingles with tantalizing Caribbean and Belizean dishes with a twist. It’s dressed up tropical comfort food with an emphasis on taste, presentation, culinary creativity and service.
Battered Monte Cristo Sandwich
FE: Where did you train?
Chef Bader: I’ve trained at cooking schools in the United States and abroad, but I gained some teaching experience at a culinary school in Denver and also spent more than 10 years at Potager.
FE: What is your favorite ingredient to cook with and why?
Chef Bader: I have so many favorite ingredients that I can’t choose just one; but I love utilizing what’s around me and using ingredients that are native to Belize. At Maya Beach Bistro, we source more than 80 percent local products to create traditional dishes with modern and unique twists.
Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro is located at Maya Beach, Mile Marker 15, Placencia, Belize
[mappress mapid=”262″]Nearby Landmarks: Maya Beach Store and Joyce and Frank’s Belize Bed and Breakfast
Phone Number: (501) 533-8040
Hours of Operation: Open daily, 7AM to 9PM
Also check out Chef Mary Kay Bader’s delicious Seafood and Coconut Chowder Recipe.
Coconut Seafood Chowder
Have you visited Maya Beach Hotel Bistro in Belize? Leave a review and check to see if there are Maya Beach Hotel Bistro coupons.