Our Talent Team
Our team is made up of diverse, passionate people who love what they do. Each member has a voice that's heard and a reason for being here. So we do it together
Hey there!
I'm Katie, a chef, entrepreneur, and community advocate.
I've been in the food industry for over 20 years and am passionate about helping others pursue their goals.
I started Ktea cafe, a restaurant which quickly grew into Ktea Caters and Mayan Kitchen. I serve as a corporate guest chef at high-tech companies like Google, eBay, Flex, Polycom, Uber, Bytedance, Microsoft, Cisco, Facebook, Samsung, Uber, Addapar, Perfect World, H20 Horizon Robotics, Linken, and Veri Silicon Inc. Our innovative kitchen also known for delicious vegan vegetarian options and using transparent ingredients.
My team is integral to ensuring we can provide delicious meals for all our clients. I love working closely with them to share ideas and create unique solutions together.
An essential part of my business plan is incorporating a community Giving Back Program. I love to help others, so I dedicate a portion of my week to community projects, such as sponsoring ChildrenGiving.org, Joy Club, Flag Football, and more! Ktea Cafe also donates food weekly to The Food Bank.
Our mission is simple: we want to provide our customers with delicious food made with fresh ingredients-and we want them to leave feeling happy and satisfied with what they experienced.
Katie
Executive Chef
650.305.6595
mayankitchenfood@gmail.com
Deborah
Creative Director
www.dbavisual.com
Retail and Restaurant Creative Team leader, Deborah, was born in Italy and raised in Silicon Valley, CA. Deborah has business planning, visual merchandising and market strategy in her DNA.
With young parents who juggled 3 jobs each, Deborah grew-up constantly managing after-school jobs. These ranged from working in accounting and finance at a Silicon Valley Technology start-up company to sales at Emporium and Bloomingdale's, all of which contributed to on-the-job lessons in budgeting, strategizing, and commercial retail merchandising and display.
Of her favorite positions, the one that allowed her to express her creativity the most was the retail display, store design, and spatial planning at her family-run home décor and vintage boutique… What had started as a part-time job eventually became her full-time passion.
Deborah became an integral contributor to the growth, success, and longevity of the now branded Maria's European LifeStyle℠ at ShopMarias.com® as their Creative Director.
Deborah's ideas also reached far beyond the scope of the family business. Thus was born DBAVisual. Over the last 15 years, Deborah and her team have had the opportunity to work with many clients and businesses. Each unique project allows her ideas to enhance everything from space planning and remodeling to commercial merchandising strategy and store design. She now has an extensive portfolio of projects including residential and landlord property upgrades, commercial office space planning and design, and restaurant planning and branding. Commercial projects also involved several "Pop-up" stores in Simon Malls (Stanford Shopping Center) and Federal Realty Investment Trust (Santana Row).
Throughout its lifetime, DBAVisual has become a friend to many small businesses and restaurants. Current projects include designing a new, modern private showroom and dining space for "Mayan Kitchen" in the heart of Silicon Valley. Deborah is always responding to clients' latest design dilemma, proposing color suggestions, or providing expert consultation on "the next season."
"Every day is dynamic and exciting...and the team loves it!"
Ed
Head Chef
In his home village of Hunucmá in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, Ed found his passion for food by watching his mother and grandmother cook. Growing up in a region rich in culture and unique flavors, he wanted to make a career in the food industry, that's when Ed moved to Cancun and in 1995, he began working for the Ritz Carlton Cancun, where he studied and perfected French and Italian cuisines. There he learned the importance of precision and soon became Head Cook. Passionate about expanding his cooking knowledge, Ed was eager to learn new recipes, to master and compete with popular cuisines. Ed worked at the Cheesecake Factory, where he traveled across the United States, visiting Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Idaho, and more, to help open new locations for the company. Today, Ed is proud to work at Mayan Kitchen, where he is able to go back to his roots and share the flavor of his culture through his food.
About us
Mayan Kitchen aims to provide our guests with a unique cultural experience while serving you authentic Mayan cuisine. Our recipes have been expertly cultivated and crafted by respected executive chefs from the Yucatan peninsula. Every meal is made from scratch and prepared with the freshest ingredients, authentic spices, and our dedication to a unique culinary experience with every plate. A Memorable party experience starts with delicious Mayan Cuisine, Vegan/ Vegetarian & Shareable Plates.
Book us for your next event! Private dining room, team building, family gatherings, holiday parties. Let us create an unforgettable experience for you.