Maria Loi

About Maria Loi

Maria Loi is an internationally respected authority on wellness and the Mediterranean diet, a celebrated chef, a successful businesswoman, and a steadfast supporter of philanthropic causes around the world. A former top ten lobbyist in Europe, her government and media relations consulting and lobbying clients have included Net Med International (Film Net), Super Channel International, ITT Corporation (ITT Sheraton and ITT Caesars), and Nokia Telecommunications among many others. After leaving her lobbying career over 20 years ago, she chose to return to her roots and focus on health, wellness, and especially longevity – well ahead of her time. She is the founder of Loi Brand, Loi Food Products, and the Loi-Approved program, the namesake of Loi Estiatorio in Manhattan, and the author of over 36 cookbooks. Loi is the host of the award-winning series, The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets on PBS, which won the international Telly Award the past two years for Best Food & Beverage Television Series, and Best Chef in a Series from the 15th annual Taste Awards. The series aims to build an inspirational and educational movement around the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle – from ancient to modern, food to culture and everything in between. Season two of The Life of Loi premiered in April 2024 on broadcast on National Public Television stations across North America, and streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Freevee, Roku, Plex TV, and PBS Passport. Loi’s mission in life is simple: subscribing to THE LOI motto – Tasty, Healthy, Easy – Live On It – Loi is out to change the world one healthy bite at a time.

Experience

1. Corporate Executive Chef

   Loi Estiatorio

   Feb 2015 — Present

   Chef Loi has brought her unique approach to Greek-Mediterranean cuisine to Loi Estiatorio, her namesake restaurant in the heart of Manhattan serving fresh ingredients, authentic Greek cuisine and a healthy, delicious lifestyle. An ode to the flavors of her childhood growing up in Greece, the Midtown West location serving high-end-casual Greek food opened in February 2015. Loi Estiatorio never closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chef Loi and the restaurant staff instead worked tirelessly to provide takeout and delivery, and are providing thousands of meals to frontline healthcare workers at hospitals around New York City, as well as firefighters, the homeless, elderly and unemployed. She partnered with other good Samaritans to expand her capabilities in order to provide as many healthy, nutritious, substantive meals for anyone who needs them.She was also inducted into the New York Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, the pre-eminent global women’s organization in the areas of food, wine, and hospitality.

Skills

• Tourism
• Cuisine
• Hospitality Management
• Food Cost Analysis
• Event Planning
• Culinary Skills
• Recipes
• Italian Cuisine
• Restaurants
• Customer Satisfaction
• Cost Control
• Food Service
• New Restaurant Openings
• Hotel Management
• Revenue Analysis
• Culinary Management
• Inventory Management
• Food Industry
• Sauces
• Pre-Opening
• Fine Dining
• Weddings
• Food Cost Management
• Budgets
• Food
• Pastry
• Catering
• Hotels
• Income Statement
• Resorts
• Appetizers
• Recruiting
• Gastronomy
• Menu Development
• Mediterranean
• Menu Costing
• Wine
• Food Safety
• Event Management
• Restaurant Management