About Chef Oli
Chef Oli’s passion in the kitchen developed early under the guidance of her mother and grandmother. Born in April 1975 in a small coastal town south of Tamaulipas, Mexico, she mastered family recipes that date back over 100 years by the age of 7. Her intuitive style, passion, and imagination soon led her to develop and perfect unique recipes that are still celebrated by her family today.
As a young mother, Chef Oli began her career in the food and beverage industry as a hostess for a national restaurant chain owned by Brinker International, Inc. She quickly climbed through the ranks to restaurant management, benefiting from Brinker’s renowned training programs over a 3-year period. Believing in her entrepreneurial drive and passion for the kitchen, she opened her first catering business and restaurant at the age of 23, and went on to open two more restaurants within the next 3 years.
Chef Oli’s positive outlook and business acumen led to her being awarded multi-year contracts with the National Guard and Arkansas Federal Building in Little Rock, AR. These contracts involved preparing over 3,000 meals daily, with each meal showcasing her commitment to fresh and flavorful ingredients. This dedication earned her numerous awards from both agencies.
The use of fresh organic ingredients and unparalleled presentation are hallmarks of Chef Oli’s culinary philosophy. She has opened 9 commercial restaurants across Oregon, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, applying this philosophy consistently. In 2014, Chef Oli relocated to the Texas Hill Country to be closer to family and opened Oli’s Kitchen in Round Mountain, TX. She quickly gained a following among locals and the nearby communities of Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls, Spicewood, Johnson City, and Burnet. Diners regularly travel from across Texas to experience the unique dishes and flavors that Chef Oli is known for.