Marguerite Mariscal initially turned down her current CEO position at Momofuku multiple times, believing that aspiring to be a CEO was an unrealistic goal. Despite not dreaming of reaching the C-suite as a child, Mariscal’s connection to Momofuku dates back to her teenage years when she first dined at the Noodle Bar with her father. Inspired by Chef David Chang’s mission to blend food and culture, Mariscal joined Momofuku as an intern in 2011 and worked her way up to becoming the CEO in 2019.
Under Mariscal’s leadership, Momofuku navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by launching Momofuku Goods, a line of home-cooking products that proved to be a massive success. Reflecting on her role during the pandemic, Mariscal gained a newfound sense of confidence and resilience in facing challenges as a CEO.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in the food industry, with her grandfather owning the iconic Zabar’s gourmet store, Mariscal followed her own path into the culinary world. Embracing the advice from Chef Chang to build for the future, she envisions turning Momofuku into a lasting empire.
A typical day in Mariscal’s life involves starting her day with email checks, a morning walk with her dog Carmela, and a series of meetings guiding the course of Momofuku’s business. Despite the demanding nature of her role, Mariscal finds time to enjoy life outside of work and is always looking for new opportunities to explore and grow the Momofuku brand.
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