Maria Retamero is remembered in La Zubia by a plaque

Maria Retamero Martin was the chef and owner of El Patio Andaluz. La Zubia has placed a plaque in her honor. She was an entrepreneur and a woman of great accomplishment. She died in March 2021. Her neighbors wanted to pay her homage. This is part of the Huellas de Mujer project. Calles en Igualdad' is a project of the Alzawiya Glocal Forum and the Las 13 Rosas de La Zubia Equality Center. This center aims to increase women's presence on the streets, as more than 90% of street names are men.

"Last year, we dedicated a plaque in honor of Carmen Jimenez, because we want to slowly correct this situation, increase the presence outstanding women in our streets, squares, and streets," says Rebeca Sanchez, Councilor for Equality. She also points out that this measure is part of the Municipal Equality Plan for La Zubia.

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Alzawiya Glocal Forum organized the event, as well as the Center for Equality and Puri Lopez, the mayor of La Zubia. Rebeca Sanchez, the Councilor for Equality was also present. Ana Redruello, president of Alzawiya Glocal Forum; Jose Antonio Romero from the Hotel Association of La Zubia. Maria Gamez Jaldo is Maria Retamero's granddaughter.

Maria Retamero is one such woman who has made a mark on the history of our people. Her hard work, perseverance, and determination allowed her to create one of the most iconic family businesses in La Zubia, which was named after the mayor of Zubia.

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Maria and Paco, a forest ranger, lived in La Cortijuela when they started their restaurant. She prepared all the dishes that were brought to her by hunters in a patio where several fires were lit to make different dishes.

What started out as a small group of hunters coming to Maria to make a meal, quickly grew to a large customer base that far exceeded their expectations. Ana Redruello recalled that she was able to cook for hundreds of people and also educate her five children, Paco Paco, Carlos Leo, Sergio and Leo.

In 1975, the family business moved to El Patio andaluz. Maria was a dedicated cook and lived in her kitchen. She began her day at six in the morning by getting up and cleaning her patio and sidewalk with her hose. It didn't matter if it was snowing or raining; she then lit her stove to make the restaurant's heart beat. She did this until the very end. She was active in the kitchen all her life, always helping others, making sure that everything went smoothly.

"The residents of La Zubia, thanks to Maria and these women, are what they are today. The mayor noted that her heritage, her perseverance, and her example had helped all of us improve and contribute to the improvement of this town.