Yosmar Monique Martinez is a cookbook author and publisher, recipe developer, and culinary instructor who believes everyone has the gift to create a memorable meal. All that is needed is a bit of guidance, good ingredients, and an openness to new culinary experiences.
From an early age, Yosmar had an inherent culinary curiosity always concocting something new in the kitchen when no one was looking. This curiosity was amplified by the fact that, by the time she was nine years old, she had lived in four countries and thus was exposed to many different cuisines. As a young adult, she moved to Northern California to pursue a master’s degree. It was during her time in California that she developed an appreciation and passion for heirloom ingredients and artisanal food. She then decided to pack her bags and attend culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. While in Paris, she had an opportunity to do an internship at Pierre Hermé Paris, one of the most innovative and exquisite pastry shops in the world.
Back in the United States, Yosmar taught for many years at the Viking Cooking School as well as other locations in the San Francisco Bay area. Since relocating to Miami Beach, FL, she teaches primarily in private homes. Her love for all things food have permeated all her travel experiences and she enjoys teaching others about the culinary cultures she comes into contact during her travels. Follow her on Instagram (whisknspatula), Twitter (@whiskandspatula), and Pinterest (Whisk & Spatula), and like her “Whisk & Spatula” page on Facebook.