Our Story
Mami's Tamales started over a simple meal of home cooked Mexican tamales and side dishes made by Maribel. With a glint in his eye Mauricio looked at Maribel and said "Oye Amiga, let's do a collab". And as they say... the rest is history!
This groundbreaking venture promises to bring the authentic flavors of tamales from Mexico to Singapore, along with contemporary flavors that reflect Singapore and the Asian region, offering a unique and unforgettable dining experience centered around this beloved Mexican staple.
Co-Founders
We are a dynamic duo, fuelled by our love and passion for all things Mexican, including its rich traditions. Our joy lies in sharing this passion through food with people.
Chef “Papi” Mauricio
Jose Mauricio, known as Chef Papi, is a culinary visionary who has made an indelible mark on Singapore's vibrant food scene. Papi's Tacos continues to be a destination for authentic Mexican flavors, extending its culinary journey with multiple outlets across the city, adding to Singapore's gastronomic tapestry.
Born in Papalotla, Mexico, Chef Papi's journey to culinary success is as rich and flavorful as his signature dishes. From a young age, Chef Papi harbored a deep-seated passion for food, nurtured by the rustic charm of his grandmother's kitchen. Despite societal stigmas and peer pressure, he dared to dream of a world beyond his small town—a world filled with tantalizing flavors and exciting culinary adventures.
Chef Papi's path to success was fraught with challenges. From a perilous journey across the Mexico/US border, where he was kidnapped in Tijuana, to arriving in the US without knowledge of English and teaching himself the language from the age of 20, his resilience and determination propelled him forward. Starting as a dishwasher and working his way up in New York City's vibrant culinary scene, Chef Papi honed his skills and forged connections that would eventually lead him to Singapore.
In 2016, Chef Papi brought his culinary talents to Singapore, where he quickly captivated the city's taste buds with his authentic, homemade tacos and burritos. His restaurant, Papi's Tacos, has become a beloved fixture in Singapore's dining scene, with multiple outlets across the city.
Beyond the kitchen, Chef Papi indulges in video games, podcasts and enjoys cycling around Singapore to explore new sites. He also enjoys sampling the diverse cuisines of the world, with a particular fondness for Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Turkish, and Chinese fare.
Chef “Mami” Maribel
Born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, Maribel developed a deep love for the art of tamale-making from a young age. Her culinary journey began in her family's bustling home kitchen, where she spent countless hours assisting her mother and grandmother, as well as in their cherished tamales shop.
In Singapore, her home for 10 years, she ventured out as a home-cook, initially sharing her time-honoured tamales with friends and family before expanding her passion into successful pop-up restaurants. Now, she is set to make culinary history by leading the opening of Asia's first tamales-led restaurant, Mami's Tamales, in partnership with the iconic restaurateur and founder of Papi's Tacos, Chef Mauricio Espinoza.
Beyond her role as the chef at Mami's Tamales, Maribel boasts a robust background. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Trade and Logistics from Mexico, and a Masters Degree in International Business from Australia, she has accumulated experience across diverse industries such as automotive, petrochemicals, and education. Moreover, Maribel has authored and co-authored eight books, four of which became bestsellers.
Her interests span a diverse range of disciplines, including writing, dancing, traveling, marketing, branding, storytelling, and sustainable fashion and design, having her heel-bag collection exhibited at ArtNow Gallery at Raffles Hotel. This eclectic set of passions has led her to collaborate with some of the world’s most prominent figures in various fields and industries, such as international best-selling authors, restaurants, embassies, chambers of commerce, museums, art galleries, schools and universities, and event planners.