Julieta Ballesteros, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, has had a longtime interest in food and cooking beginning from childhood. As a young girl, she spent time in the kitchen helping the family cook prepare meals. When she finished college, she started a small business at home providing catering for family and friends. Shortly thereafter, she began working as the assistant to the head chef of the corporate kitchen at Alfa Corporativo in Monterrey. After a year in this position, Julieta decided to further her culinary education and enrolled at New York's French Culinary Institute. Shortly before graduating, Julieta helped the owner of Mexicana Mama open the restaurant. As the chef of Mexicana Mama, she now continues to surprise and delight diners with her fresh take on Mexican food served with a French presentation.