Avi Mendieta
Marivic Mendieta is a globally seasoned culinary storyteller whose life and career
have
unfolded across cultures, continents, and cuisines. Born in the Philippines, she earned her degree in
Mass Communication from Far Eastern University in Manila, beginning her professional journey in local
radio before exchanging the studio for the world of international hospitality.
Her early career led her into some of the world’s most distinguished lounges and cigar rooms, from The
Peninsula Manila to Shangri-La Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, where she served as Director of
Operations for Tabac Inc. and La Flor de Isabela under Tabacalera S.A. and Habanos S.A. These formative
years immersed her in the disciplines of taste, craftsmanship, and global luxury.
Fluent in Tagalog, Spanish, French, and English, and conversant in four regional Filipino dialects,
Marivic has lived and worked in more than twelve countries. She spent years as an expatriate alongside
her former husband, a French hotelier, and later established deep roots in Saint-Paul-de-Vence on the
French Riviera, where she co-owned a Mediterranean restaurant known for its soulful, market-driven
cuisine. Today, she divides her time between the south of France and the United States, embracing a
transatlantic lifestyle that continues to shape her culinary perspective.
In Florida, Marivic expanded her entrepreneurial path as the owner of Rice Republics, while also
stepping into the healthcare sector, where she spent two years with a healthcare group as Director of
Sales and Marketing, based between Maryland and Miami. This experience sharpened her strategic
leadership and deepened her understanding of wellness-driven service.
She ultimately returned to Naples, Florida, to fully concentrate on her own culinary ventures, founding
The Chef and B Team, a gourmet catering and private chef brand celebrated for refined, health-conscious
cuisine and bespoke dining experiences.
A gourmand, health advocate, painter, and lifelong adventurer, Marivic has skydived, sailed, and
explored open-air markets across the globe. Her evolution from an accidental cook to private chef,
culinary entrepreneur, and author is a testament to reinvention, proof that the most meaningful
transformations occur when one dares to say yes to life’s many flavors.
