Barbara Sibley was born and raised in Mexico City. For many years she has collected traditional, rare and ancient Mexican recipes,including 17th Century recipes from Mexico’s convent kitchens, and traditional ingredients. Her extensive experience led her to open La Palapa Cocina Mexicana 2000. As a truly authentic Mexican restaurant, La Palapa has been awarded the “Disctinctivo” by Sabores Autenticos de Mexico Foundation which promotes authentic Mexican products. Barbara is a past president of the New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, and in 2022 she was awarded the Operator of the Year award from the Industry Excellence Awards presented by the Food and Restaurant Expound selected as a member of the Fall 2022 James Beard Foundation Women Entrepreneurial Program.  

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