About Me

Welcome! Bienvenidos!
My name is Marianne and I am a first generation Uruguayan-American born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ. My love for cooking began when I was about 7 years old helping my parents prepare traditional Uruguayan dishes at home. My parents, Luis and Maria Rosa, were excellent home cooks and learning our family recipes from them is something I will be grateful for always.

Picaflor Empanadas began as a way to showcase my love of cooking and fulfilling my son Gavin’s weekly request for empanadas!
Each empanada is made from scratch-from the dough to the fillings. And in true artisanal style, each flavor has its unique "repulgue" and every empanada is hand folded by me.  Eating healthy, delicious foods is very important to me and that’s why I choose to work closely with local farmers. From the grass-fed beef, whey-fed pork, small batch cheeses, pasture raised chickens (and eggs) and organic vegetables,  I can tell you exactly where my ingredients come from and what goes into every empanada and dessert I make.

Thank you for all your support always!