Women chefs enticing taste buds at Grand Coastal

Chef Mau Merchan never enjoyed cooking as a child. In fact, she initially wanted to become a doctor. So when she decided to pursue a career in the culinary arts, her family remarked, “But, you can’t even cook rice”, to which she replied, “I’ll learn.”
After successfully completing her studies in Peru at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu (the oldest culinary school in the world), she embarked on a remarkable journey, which led her to creating not one but three restaurants in her native Ecuador. Unagi Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar is just one of her crowning achievements.
Gifted and skilled at her craft, Executive Chef Mau now heads the kitchen at Grand Coastal Hotel. With poise, grace and kindness, she guides her team, including quick-witted chef Priyanka Singh, to master the language of food.
“For me, food is language. Even if you don’t speak the language of a country, you can express yourself through food. You can tell a story with food. You can create an experience.”
And this is what she aims to do. Chef Mau specialises in the fusion of food, whereby she effortlessly blends the best elements of our local Guyanese dishes and those from around the world, to create visually-stunning and deliciously food.
“Chef Mau is incredible. I’ve learned so much from her. She uses advanced techniques to create her dishes. And she’s an amazing teacher,” Chef Priyanka can’t help but sing her praises.
The Guyanese native successfully completed her culinary studies in Trinidad, though as a child, she was much more interested in physics. She was so interested that she even created her very own projector and a generator. Top that. Nowadays homemade caviar is her forte.
Having overcome a number of challenges in her very young life, Chef Priyanka is grateful to be back home, and is adamant about propelling Guyana forward as we continue to make strides in tourism and hospitality.
Chef Mau and Chef Priyanka will take on Restaurant Week starting June 25 until July 4. They are both excited for the chance to make a lasting impression that will have us asking for seconds.
It is with passion and a deep reverence for the language of food and its cultural origins, that Chef Mau masterfully and lovingly creates her unique dishes.
“I’ve been so blessed to have the life that I have. And that’s why I’m so grateful.”