MONSON, Maine — Marilou Ranta, owner, and chef of The Quarry in Monson, has been doing what she does best since her restaurant opened in 2018: keep her guests "feeling like VIPs."
With her dedication over the years, culinary leaders have taken notice, landing her with a nomination — and later award — for a James Beard in Outstanding Hospitality.
"I was kind of like, 'Oh my gosh. I didn't believe it,'" Ranta expressed. "I already won when I had my restaurant. That's beyond what I set out to do, so I thought!"
Ranta said she didn't always want to open a restaurant and instead aimed for a food truck. That is, until striking a deal with the Libra Foundation arts residency program to feed local artists at her spot.
Serving American dishes with a Filipino twist, Ranta jumpstarted her passion for cooking when she worked as a maid and caregiver in the Philippines before moving to the United States.
"I've always cooked back home, you know, and I always watched my dad. My dad was the cook," Ranta said.
However, Ranta says greeting and keeping her guests happy and fed is a big part of her passion for cooking. She recalls that after turning her restaurant into a fine-dining style, she hated the formality of not being able to casually chat with guests.
"I don't read the reviews online, cause I want the review right there! Like, 'What do you think?'" Ranta added.
With a surplus of even more success proceeding after her award, Ranta recommends if you want to dine in, make a reservation beforehand, as she can only take a certain amount of tables per night.