Portland Press Herald Food Editor Peggy Grodinsky had a conversation with chef Marilou Ranta during a live event at One Longfellow Square on Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

About Marilou

MONSON, ME (Staff photo by Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

In 2023, Marilou Ranta, of The Quarry Restaurant in remote Monson, Maine, bested thousands of restaurants across America to win an award for Outstanding Hospitality from the prestigious New-York-based James Beard Foundation. Ranta grew up as the youngest of 12 children in an impoverished family on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. She finished school at 16 and spent time as a maid, a factory worker and a home health aide before graduating from culinary school at age 50 and fulfilling a long-time dream to run her own fine-dining restaurant. Her delicious food and warm hospitality at The Quarry have brought her much praise and many fans. Read more about Marilou in this article by Peggy Grodinsky.