Josephine Villari was born in the village of Limini near Taormina in Sicily.  She first came to New York in 1973, and then (after some years back in Italy) she operated Josephine’s Lunch Wagon at Einstein medical center for nineteen years. In 2000, Josephine sold the lunch wagon and began to study cooking and catering at the The New School Culinary Arts. In December of 2003 she founded MariaMonica Catering, named for her grandmother. Josephine is married to Antonio Vindigny, and they are the proud parents of a beautiful girl, the third MariaMonica.

Tomoko Kuroda-Swanson is a chef and caterer who is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute and The New School Culinary Arts.  Tomoko is a native of Tokyo, and she has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, honing her culinary skill.  She trained at several top restaurants and with several caterers in Manhattan as well. Tomoko specializes in delicious, quick, and easy Asian cooking.

Bruce Beck is a North Carolina native who has taught at The New School and other area schools for over twenty years.  Bruce is a former caterer and baker and the author of PRODUCE: A FRUIT AND VEGETABLE LOVERS’ GUIDE, and THE OFFICIAL FULTON FISH MARKET COOKBOOK.  Bruce has a wide range of interests and teaches many kinds of classes. He is our resident fish expert, and a wonderful baker, too.  When pressed to choose favorites, he will admit to a particular love for the Mexican kitchen. Bruce is also a food stylist and photographer.