Hello! My name is Maria Lorentzon, and I’m the new Kitchen Manager at Bugbee. I grew up in the village of Hartland, Vermont, and spent most of my childhood there. My earliest memory is watching my grandmother in Guatemala make tortillas over an open fire, and then venturing to beautiful flower markets with luscious vegetables. I used to watch my mom cook, too. She learned this art from a local Italian woman and our kitchen was filled with the aromas of healthy, hearty home cooked meals. My school friends also enjoyed these meals along with us.
Growing up, I hit my stride as an athlete. Soccer was my summer sport, downhill skiing and racing my winter sport, and rugby my spring sport. I went to college at Norwich University and at the time my interests were centered on sports science, massage therapy, and nutrition. But my talents as an artist have carried me through most of my life. I enjoy all artistic mediums as well as knitting, puzzling, dance, and any creative environment.
I have worked in kitchens on the east and west coast, and experienced cuisine in different countries such as Germany, Chile, and Cozumel, Mexico. My favorite foods are still Central American dishes with Thai as second, mostly because I like vegetable based cuisine. My foodie career began with a cardboard kitchen that my brother and mom made to welcome me in my first winter in America. I have come a long way since plastic fruit and eggs.
I was not always fortunate enough to have food, which I think enhanced my love of food, my understanding of the real need for nutrition, and my compassion for others. I cook and design with my heart to bring people together, now at Bugbee and for the participants in our Meals on Wheels program.