The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1545812
"We are fortunate to have wonderful relationships with local farms, which allows us to offer the freshest produce possible," states Maria. From the fresh fare to the warm, familial feeling, Camp Rubirosa provides the perfect gathering place for Hamptonites. As someone who was unsure at the beginning of her career in hospitality, opening Camp and Mt. Rubirosa holds special significance. "ere was a moment I realized I was building something of my own and simultaneously celebrating the legacy of my brother,'" says Maria. With family at the heart of everything Rubirosa does, Maria and Brian wanted to make Camp a fun, wholesome destination for friends and family who may not get a chance to see each other throughout the year. "Many of our guests have been frequenting Rubirosa in New York City for years, and now we have the opportunity to meet their friends and extended families who rarely venture to Manhattan. It's a delight to witness their first-hand experience of what we do, and it's particularly rewarding when we hear that it lives up to the hype," Maria shares. With a long list of successes behind her, Maria remains energized and enthusiastic about the future. "I can't really call this work," she says. "It's a life-long stewardship of our family, our recipes, and of the guests who visit us. 'You don't look like you run a restaurant' is one of my favorite guest comments, and it always makes me laugh." Maria credits her "decades-long" meditation practice as a "game-changer" and one of the ways she remains grounded in the fast-paced world of hospitality. From her early days at Joe & Pat's to leading a growing restaurant empire, Maria's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-belief, and honoring family legacy while carving a path all her own.