Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Maria Manrique.
Lina Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Lina M. Manrique. I was born and raised in Colombia, where I graduated as a lawyer from Santiago de Cali University. While I was proud of that accomplishment, cooking had always been my passion. From the time I was six years old, I felt drawn to the kitchen. My grandmother was the first to show me that cooking was more than just preparing food, it was a way to care for people and bring them together. Those moments with her taught me that love is always the foundation of a great dish.
In March of 2000, I immigrated to the United States and settled in New Jersey. Moving to a new country was both exciting and intimidating. It was here that I met my husband, and together we began to build a life. Over the last 25 years, we’ve raised three wonderful children and shared both joys and struggles as a family. My husband worked in real estate at the time, and our home quickly became a gathering place. Clients, friends, and neighbors were always stopping by. I naturally cooked for everyone, and I found so much happiness in watching people enjoy my food. Those gatherings made me realize that food was more than a personal passion, it was something I could share with others in a bigger way.
At first, catering was something that grew informally. Every other weekend I would prepare meals for large groups, sometimes on short notice, simply because I enjoyed it. I loved seeing how food could turn a meeting or a simple get-together into something memorable. It wasn’t a business yet, but those early experiences planted the seed for Cocora. They showed me that what I had learned from my grandmother, the value of cooking with love, could truly connect with people from all backgrounds.
Looking back, I see that my story is one of reinvention and faith. I came to this country with a degree in law but found my true calling in the kitchen. My path has been shaped by family, community, and the belief that food can bring people together in powerful ways. Cocora was born from that belief, and it continues to grow because of it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our journey was not without hardship. When the real estate bubble burst in 2007, we lost everything, our home, cars, and businesses. In January 2008, a friend suggested I turn my cooking into a business. From our small two-bedroom apartment, I began preparing meals daily for about 40 people.
It wasn’t easy. In 2009, our daughter Gaby was born in the middle of one of our busiest weeks, and I only rested for three days before returning to the kitchen, supported by my husband, mother, and friends. By 2010, my husband had negotiated a luncheonette for us. It was a crash course in running a business with three small children at home. We struggled for three years before real estate began to pick up again, giving us some financial stability.
In 2020, I decided to formally pursue my culinary education, graduating from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in 2021. Shortly after, our family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and I began building Cocora once again, this time with the support of a vibrant Latino community.
We’ve been impressed with Cocora LLC., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cocora is a family-run catering business that combines Latin, American, Italian, and Mediterranean flavors. Our goal is to give every client a memorable, gourmet experience with food that is prepared with care, love, and fresh ingredients.
We live by a simple motto: “If I wouldn’t eat it, I won’t prepare it for my customers.” Everything we serve is made as if it were for our own family. That philosophy, along with our focus on organic and high-quality ingredients, has shaped Cocora into what it is today.
Our work has been incredibly diverse, and that is one of the things that makes Cocora so special. We have catered intimate family gatherings, large weddings with more than 250 guests, corporate events for major firms, and community celebrations like graduations. Every event is unique, and the variety of people, cultures, and occasions we serve continues to shape our business. These experiences push us to grow, adapt, and bring creativity to every menu we design.
We are proud to have partnered with community leaders and organizations that value quality and authenticity. We’ve collaborated with Katherine Belk of Wild Hope Farm in Chester, South Carolina, as well as with marketing firms such as Saldom Group LLC and financial institutions like Buenas Finanzas Carolinas. These partnerships have allowed us to share Cocora with a larger audience and connect with clients who appreciate the mix of culture, flavor, and care that defines our work.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I owe so much to my grandmother, who taught me that the most important ingredient in any dish is love. My mother and brother have supported me since the very beginning, and many clients from New Jersey and North Carolina have stayed loyal to Cocora over the years.
Most of all, I thank my husband and children. They are the foundation of everything. From recipe ideas to business decisions and even serving our clients, they have been involved in every part of this journey. Cocora has always been a family effort, and that is one of the most vital aspects of what makes it special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Cocoraeats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocoracatering/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cocora/100095356356209/
