The Mulata Criolla restaurant was born in San Onefre “Rincón del Mar,” a small coastal town on the Colombian Caribbean coast, where the sea breeze and warm sun were part of the daily life of its inhabitants. There lived a dark-skinned woman with bright eyes named Catalina and her grandmother.

Catalina's grandmother was an Afro-descendant woman whose family had been enslaved during the colonial era in Latin America. However, despite the hardships and suffering they had endured, her grandmother had been able to pass on to her her love for Creole cuisine, which combined ingredients and flavors from the diverse cultures that coexisted in the region.

Catalina grew up cooking with her grandmother, learning the techniques and secrets of Creole cuisine, and sharing with her a passion for food.

All her recipes were written in a family book, which had been passed down from generation to generation. Over time, Catalina became a renowned chef in the region, famous for her dishes that combined Creole tradition with innovative touches.

Many outsiders and tourists came to her house just to savor her time-honored flavors, but Catalina's dearest visitors were Paula and Jairo, a young couple from Medellín who, on every trip to Rincón del Mar, made sure to visit her and her grandmother. Paula was passionate about cooking and shared her knowledge with Catalina, who in turn absorbed the richness of her grandparents' culinary traditions. Afternoons spent by the sea, exploring flavors and creating new recipes, were a daily ritual.

Catalina's dream was that the flavors of her ancestors would never disappear and would reach far and wide, spreading throughout the country, so that she and her grandmother would feel they lived on forever. And so, Catalina would sit for long hours with Paula and Jairo, writing and sharing countless recipes and techniques; they compiled them all into a book they called "The Bible."

Catalina left them with a mission: To highlight the flavors and textures of Colombian Creole cuisine, captivating the senses and providing a unique experience.

Paula and Jairo returned to Medellín to share authentic Creole cuisine with the world, and that's how Mulata Criolla was born. They initially opened their restaurant in a small stand at Plaza Mayor (convention center), where people could enjoy the flavors of Creole cuisine.

The restaurant quickly became popular with locals and tourists visiting the area, who enjoyed traditional dishes like "Sancocho," "Mondongo," and "Bandeja Paisa." Each dish was prepared with fresh, local ingredients, such as Antioquian beans and the essential Viao leaf, which was vital to the preparation of each dish.

Over time, the restaurant expanded and moved to a larger space in the same part of town. Paula and Jairo always maintained the same focus on the authenticity and tradition of Creole cuisine. Although it now boasts a modern and sophisticated decor, the atmosphere remains welcoming and familiar, just like in the old days in the wooden house by the sea.

Today, Mulata Criolla restaurant is a renowned establishment in the city for its authentic Creole cuisine, and it has become a destination for food lovers visiting the region. Catalina is no longer with us, but her legacy lives on thanks to Paula, Jairo, and the chefs and cooks who continue to prepare traditional dishes with the same love and care she instilled in them.