Hi, I’m Mari Lisa, but most people just call me Mari—and I’m so happy you’re here.
My love for cooking began in the most unassuming place: my grandmother’s kitchen in a small town in Pennsylvania. I must have been five or six, barely tall enough to reach the counter, but I can still remember the smell of her Sunday sauce bubbling away, the way she never measured a thing, and how she always made room for my tiny hands to help. That’s where I learned that food isn’t just about flavor—it’s about feeling. It’s love you can taste.
Over the years, what started as childhood wonder turned into a full-blown passion. I trained professionally, spent long hours in bustling restaurant kitchens, and even had the chance to work alongside some chefs I’d once only read about. But even as I plated intricate dishes for high-end menus, a part of me always felt pulled back to something simpler—helping everyday people create beautiful meals in their own homes.
That’s how The Mari Recipes was born. I wanted to create a space where home cooks, especially beginners, could feel empowered instead of intimidated. Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated to be special. My goal is to bring that restaurant-style magic into your kitchen, using ingredients you recognize, steps you can actually follow, and flavors that make you want to share what you’ve made.
Whether I’m filming a quick tutorial, testing a recipe for the third time, or writing out notes late into the night, it’s all driven by the same mission: to help you fall in love with cooking the way I did. I believe food should be joyful, not stressful. Mistakes happen—I’ve burned sauces, overcooked steaks, and dropped cakes on the floor (more than once). But every kitchen mishap has taught me something, and I bring that honesty into every recipe I share.
So whether you’re here to make your first homemade pasta, upgrade your weeknight dinners, or simply explore new flavors, I’m honored to be cooking alongside you. Let’s make something delicious—together.
Welcome to the kitchen. Welcome to The Mari Recipes.