In a world that constantly demands more from women, Maria Luisa DeRosa’s venture, Ladies of the Kitchen, provides a safe haven for women seeking solace, healing, and connection. Born from Maria’s own journey through personal hardship and transformation, Ladies of the Kitchen isn’t just a culinary program. It is a sanctuary where food, emotions, and self-care intertwine to create a unique healing experience. Through this endeavor, Maria blends the comfort of cooking with the transformative power of emotional healing, offering a space where women can reconnect with themselves, their hearts, and each other.
Maria’s personal story is one of resilience. After the loss of a successful restaurant business, the end of a 38-year marriage, and the passing of her father, Maria found herself at a crossroads. Rather than succumbing to the weight of these losses, she chose to rebuild, embarking on a mission to help other women who, like her, had experienced emotional turbulence. At the age of 60, she reinvented herself, using her experiences and the wisdom gained from them to create a program that serves as both a community and a therapeutic space.
The program, Ladies of the Kitchen, welcomes women who are moving through various stages of life, especially those healing from grief, burnout, addiction, or emotional distress. It is a place where women in transition—whether due to divorce, empty nest syndrome, or starting over—can find solace and companionship. Maria has cultivated a community that encourages emotional healing through the simple yet powerful act of cooking.
In the kitchen, Maria uses the five senses as tools for grounding, allowing participants to reconnect with joy and heal emotionally while preparing nourishing meals. This process, which Maria refers to as “healing through the art of cooking,” goes beyond food preparation; it is about learning to embrace oneself, finding comfort in community, and reawakening parts of the heart that may have been silenced by life’s trials.
Maria’s approach is holistic. By blending her training as a certified Law of Attraction Life Coach and Health-Nutrition Coach with her experience as a mentor and coach, Maria creates a safe environment for women to heal at their own pace. Weekly videos, blogs, one-on-one mentorship, and group classes are all designed to help women feel empowered, loved, and understood.
Maria’s journey to create Ladies of the Kitchen was not only a professional decision but a deeply personal one. As she puts it, “We are not meant to face things alone; humans are not naturally solitary creatures. It is crucial to find people who make you feel safe… and people who don’t expect perfection from you.” This philosophy is at the core of the program, which aims to nurture and support women through emotional recovery, one meal at a time.
What sets Maria’s program apart is her ability to combine her deep personal understanding of loss with her expertise in culinary arts and coaching. Unlike many programs that focus solely on cooking, Ladies of the Kitchen offers a comprehensive approach that addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of healing. Whether it’s through sharing a meal with a fellow woman in need of support or simply rediscovering the joy of preparing food, the program ensures that no one feels alone in their journey.
Maria’s work has earned her multiple accolades and recognition throughout her career. In 2025, she won the International Impact Book Award for her book The Healing Whisk, which highlights her approach to using food as a tool for emotional healing. Additionally, she holds certifications in various life coaching disciplines, including Law of Attraction and Health-Nutrition, and has been an active member of numerous professional organizations, such as the Women Leaders Forum in Coachella Valley and the Prime Time Network for adults aged 50 and over.
Maria’s resilience and success have also been recognized on a broader scale. She was awarded the 2011 Soroptimist Ruby Award and recognized as Business Woman of the Year by the City of Irwindale in 2004. Her work with the California Restaurant Association, as well as her involvement in local community organizations, reflects her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Her story and the work she does through Ladies of the Kitchen inspire other women to embrace their own healing processes, showing them that it is never too late to start anew. Maria believes that every woman, no matter her age or life stage, deserves to have a space where she can heal, grow, and thrive. With Ladies of the Kitchen, she offers just that—a place for women to nourish not only their bodies but also their souls.
Maria’s vision for Ladies of the Kitchen continues to grow, with a focus on expanding the community and reaching more women who are seeking emotional and spiritual reconnection. As she states, “This isn’t about being a perfect cook. It’s about making space at the table for your heart.” With that sentiment at the forefront, Maria invites women everywhere to join her, share their stories, and create a more nourishing future, both for themselves and for those around them.
To learn more about Maria and Ladies of the Kitchen, visit Ladies of the Kitchen. Connect with Maria on social media at @cookhealeatrepeat and @marialderosa on Facebook and Instagram, or explore her YouTube channel at Ladies of the Kitchen.
For more on her book, The Healing Whisk, visit her Amazon page here.
