Marisa’s culinary career began at The French Culinary Institute in New York City where she was professionally trained and earned a degree in Pastry Arts. Upon graduating in 2002, Marisa began working as a pastry assistant for the specialty cake shop and bakery, Polka Dot Cake Studio, located in New York’s trendsetting West Village. Her diligence and innovation resulted in a quick promotion to Pastry Chef and Head Cake Decorator.

From here Marisa moved on to the position of Pastry Chef for BLT Prime, a high-profile restaurant located in the heart of New York’s Gramercy neighborhood, where she was entrusted to the creation of imaginative dessert specials and the perfection of nightly service. It was there that she developed the inventive dessert recipe that would help fuel Laurent Tourondel’s win against Bobby Flay on “Iron Chef America.”

For two years following her time at BLT Prime, Marisa lent her refined and inspired pastry talents to the renowned B.R. Guest Restaurant Group. As Executive Pastry Chef, she was responsible for the creation of dessert menus and seasonal specials for six of New York City’s most frequented and well respected restaurants.

Marisa then moved on to the Michelin star rated Dressler, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her seasonal menus here consisted of simple flavors and home style concepts with a modern and classy approach.

Whether it’s an exquisite 4-tier wedding cake or home-spun cookies and pies, Marisa takes pride and demands excellence in everything she creates. Her unique vision and personal touch have propelled her towards the perfection of her craft. The combination of whimsy and serious culinary education and training have proven to be the formula for Marisa’s success.