Chef Marisoll, a renowned Puerto Rican chef, recently opened her new venue, Chef Marisoll Events, at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art. The inaugural event, titled “Paisaje Onirico,” offered guests an immersive culinary experience intertwined with art.
Imagine enjoying exquisite dishes while surrounded by a captivating artwork. This dreamlike scenario was brought to life through the collaboration between Chef Marisoll and artist Diana Davila, who designed the installation specifically for this gastronomic space.
The multisensory evening featured a carefully crafted five-course menu showcasing some of Chef Marisoll”s signature dishes. Highlights included a shiitake and portobello soup with sage, truffle juice, and a flan; a seared filet mignon paired with mole poblano chocolate sauce, Yukon Gold potato puree, and fresh scallions; and a dessert of caramelized pineapple with dark rum sauce, coconut cake, and artisanal coconut sorbet.
Additionally, the menu included a salad of local tomatoes with microgreens, balsamic glaze, tomato sorbet, basil, and crispy lavash, as well as a halibut dish served with potato and cauliflower puree, infused with curry and Italian parsley oils.
Wine pairings for the evening were expertly curated by Luis Santos from Ambrosia Fine Wines, featuring selections such as Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner 2023, Le Vaglie Verdicchio 2022, Clarendelle Rosé 2023, Ciacci Piccolomini Fabivs 2020, and La Spinetta Moscato d”Asti 2020 as a delightful finale.
The dining experience transcended mere taste, as it merged with an evocative artwork that adorned the dining hall, crafted by Davila, who previously collaborated with Chef Marisoll on the menu design for her restaurant in Old San Juan. Some elements from that previous menu made an appearance at the opening event of Chef Marisoll Events.
“It is an honor that Marisoll has given me the luxury to work on this space with complete creative freedom after so many years of collaboration. I call it Paisaje Onirico because this is a dream: several dreams converging at this moment. Marisoll”s career, dedication, and perseverance make this place an extension of her art. For me, collaborating with her dream through my painting is an act of deep friendship and respect for her artistic work in the kitchen,” stated Davila during the event.
Chef Marisoll, who actively worked alongside her team throughout the evening, expressed her gratitude to the diners as the culinary journey concluded. “Thank you very much,” she said with a smile, reflecting her passion as a veteran in Puerto Rican cuisine.
Marisoll Hernández is a trailblazer in Puerto Rican gastronomy, recognized as the first woman to hold the position of Executive Chef at a local hotel in 1991. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, she began her culinary career working with Chef Augusto Schreiner and later led kitchens in prestigious restaurants and hotels.
She founded Chef Marisoll Contemporary Cuisine in Old San Juan, followed by Étniko in Miramar, and in 2007 established Chef Marisoll Catering, catering weddings and private events across the island. Her culinary excellence has earned her recognition from the James Beard Foundation in New York, where she has cooked at the esteemed James Beard House and represented Puerto Rico at international events in cities such as London and Madrid. Her menus are known for their originality, innovation, and Caribbean flavors.
