Chef Marie Mayhugh

“As soon as I could sit up in a chair, Grandma had me rolling out cookies…” Chef Marie Mayhugh’s culinary adventures started at an early age around a wooden table, sitting on a stock pot and learning how to make people feel most at home with laughter served up fresh. Whether it was a warm cookie, a hearty meal after a long day’s work, a magical holiday gathering, or simply a cup of coffee, her passion all started from wanting to take care of those who had her heart.

At Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, she fell in love with the thrill of the line and the artistry in the bakery. She discovered that nothing compares to the support, dreams, excitement, and drive that culinary school brings out of young chefs. She believes this industry strengthens you, pushes you to grow, and forces you to find or lose yourself in the atmosphere. It lets you be a mad scientist, a maestro, and a warrior (or pirate) all at once. For Chef Marie, the greatest treasure has always been seeing people’s faces light up on that first bite, the spark in students’ eyes, and the look of “oh dang, we did that!” after a long service. Cooking is about sharing the love, passion, fight, and growth with everyone you serve and work alongside, and she makes sure to bring that spirit into every kitchen she works in.

From high-production bakeries to fine dining, Chef Marie has focused on being a perpetual student by staying well-rounded in both the sweet and savory sides of the kitchen. Over a span of 12 years, she has worked with many chefs from all walks of life and made sure to learn their stories. She believes you never know what you can learn from someone, and that getting to know others through the food they cook offers a special glimpse into their hearts. These experiences have expanded her knowledge of various cuisines and cooking techniques, opening up a world of flavor that she brings to every dish.

Over the last five years, Chef Marie has focused on sharing the knowledge she has gained by teaching future chefs, home cooks, and those who have never picked up a skillet. Her philosophy is simple: “If you’re willing to try, I can help you with the rest!” She finds great joy in sparking lightbulb moments in others as they unlock their confidence and build skills in their own kitchens.

Whether in person, on a team, or through her YouTube channel (@cheflukamarie), Chef Marie believes that food is not meant to be kept secret. It’s meant to be shared with others, passed down to the next person who can make it better, stretched and changed, or introduced to someone looking for something new. To her, cooking is an endless world of creativity, joy, music, and discovery just waiting to be explored.