“Everyone loved my cooking.'' When Maria Duran first came to the United States in 1995, she pursued a better life through passion and embarked on a journey to feed members of Congress.
Maria Duran first came to the United States in 1995 from El Salvador. (Courtesy of Maria's Cafe)
Provided by Maria's Cafe
When Duran arrived in the United States, he began making food at home and selling it outside. (Courtesy of Maria's Cafe)
Provided by Maria's Cafe
Duran was eventually hired to work in the cafeteria at the Dirksen Senate Building. (Courtesy of Maria's Cafe)
Provided by Maria's Cafe
Duran even had the opportunity to prepare meals for the White House. (Courtesy of Maria's Cafe)
Provided by Maria's Cafe
Duran opened Maria's Cafe in Silver Spring, Maryland in 2019. (Courtesy of Maria's Cafe)
Provided by Maria's Cafe
When Maria Duran first came to the United States from El Salvador in 1995, she embarked on a journey to seek a better life and ultimately achieve the American Dream.
“I started making food at home and selling it outside,” Duran said.
Duran developed a passion for food and flavor from a young age, and was able to turn that passion into an opportunity when he settled in his new home in the Washington, D.C., area.
During the day, Duran went to small businesses, salons, stores, soccer fields, and just about anywhere people wanted her food.
In many cases, Duran simply parked the car, opened the trunk, donned gloves, and plated the food.
That passion helped Duran build local connections. That includes people on Capitol Hill in the Dirksen Senate Office Building where she was eventually hired.
“I worked in the cafeteria for senators, so I cooked for them,” Duran said.
Duran worked in the Dirksen cafeteria for about six years and was able to talk to many senators. She said all the legislators she interacted with were “very nice.”
“Everyone loved my cooking,” Duran said with a smile.
She even had the opportunity to prepare meals for the White House.
“One day we cooked for President Trump's party,” Duran said. “I had a Spanish dinner.''
Duran loved spending time on Capitol Hill, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to open his own restaurant, Maria's Cafe, in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 2019. She now sells authentic Latin American dishes such as lomo saltado (stir-fried sirloin) there. fries) and pupusa.
Her restaurant first opened in 2019.
“That's my dream,” Duran said. “It's not easy to work and stay here from early morning until late at night, but I do it with love.”
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