Hi I’m maya wierzbicki
Food is my passion.
I was born in Lebanon, where our beautiful traditions are overlooked by the turmoil of war. It’s where my culinary roots and motivations come to life. My fondest memories growing up are of my dad as he cheerfully prepared his famous Sunday feasts, where I'd follow him around like his little shadow, waiting for him to tell me how to help.
Over a decade ago, I started my professional journey in the culinary arts. I started at the catering and events kitchen at The Leonardo in SLC, Utah under Chef Zanetta Jones. Since then, I’ve traveled the world because of my love of all things food. I’ve grown and evolved as a private yacht chef based out of St. Thomas, USVI. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would end up in the Caribbean pursuing my passion.
In 2020, as the world came to a stand-still, I was inspired to share my love for cooking in a way that could reach people digitally. That’s when Cooking with Habibi (Cooking with my Love) was launched. At first it began as YouTube tutorials, a mix of how to make a dish and the history behind its origins, then I went on to offering small batch take away orders. Cooking with Habibi then evolved into a private chef business on the beautiful island of St. Thomas. Now in Florida, I am excited to share my passion with the surrounding community. Food for me is so much more than nourishment. It’s a philosophy. I take pride in the literal and figurative seed to table. The freshly harvested ingredients grown by the farmers I've come to befriend, to the meticulous time spent in preparation, to the happy folks sitting down at the dinner table; each bite will have a story to tell, each taste a tale to confess, which is, Food is Love.
FOOD IS LOVE.
I strive to use local, fresh, and sustainable ingredients. I have a strong foundation in Mediterranean cooking, specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine. So much of my Lebanese upbringing is connected with the food I helped prepare, gathered over, and ate growing up. My years in the Caribbean have opened my eyes to new flavors, and solidified my appreciation for the Earth from which we cultivate our nourishment. With local partners in the islands, I have the resources to provide the best there is to offer!