A Treasure Coast Original

Chef Bonnie Avendano Owner/Operator of La Melaza brings her family recipes straight from Puerto Rico. She remembers standing on a rice can and learning from her Grandma some 50 years ago. She brought them with her when she moved to United States in 1983. Food has always been her passion and now she is sharing these authentic dishes with you and yours.

Chef Bonnie Avendano  is a passionate and skilled chef who learned the art of cooking from her Grandma. She grew up in a household where food was the centerpiece of family gatherings and celebrations, and she absorbed the traditions and techniques of her mother's cooking.

Now, as a successful entrepreneur running her own catering business, Chef Bonnie Avendano  is proud to carry on her Grandma's legacy by using her recipes to create authentic and delicious Puerto Rican dishes for her clients. She understands that food is not just about sustenance, but about sharing cultural traditions and creating meaningful connections with others.

With her Grandma's recipes as her guide, Chef Bonnie Avendano infuses her dishes with the flavors and aromas of her childhood, from the tangy citrus of ceviche to the savory spices of empanadas. She carefully sources the freshest ingredients, taking care to honor the quality and authenticity of each dish.

But Chef Bonnie Avendano  catering business is more than just a way to make a living. It is a labor of love, a tribute to her Grandma and the rich culinary heritage that they share. Through her cooking, she hopes to bring people together, to create moments of joy and connection, and to share the flavors and traditions of Puerto Rica cuisine within her area.

Arroz con pernil pulled pork

Arroz y pollo chicken plate

Camarones en salsa con papas shrimp in sause

Ceville de camarones

Chocoflan

Ensalada de papas potato salad

Espaguetis de sausage and ham

Flan de vanilla

Gelatin fruit mold

Jamon con pina pineapple ham

Paeya

Pernil Pork Sandwich

Pernil. Pork shoulder in the oven

Pescado white fish

Pollo guisado chicken stew

Skirt steak

ENTRIES

Arroz con pernil pulled pork

Arroz y pollo chicken plate

Espaguetis de sausage and ham

Camarones en salsa con papas shrimp in sause

Jamon con pina pineapple ham

Paeya

STARTERS

Ceville de camarones

When the summer heat starts rolling in and you need a satisfying snack to keep you cool, nothing does the trick quite like Ceviche de Camaron! Light and refreshing, yet protein-packed and hearty enough to pacify any appetite, there's no contest -- ceviche is the ultimate no-cook summertime appetizer!

SOUPS

Sopass de carnes meets soup

Chocoflan

This classic Puerto Rican comfort food recipe instantly reminds me of home and fills my home with the delicious aroma of recao.

This amazing cake has many names: flancocho, chocoflan or torta imposible, which literally means “impossible cake”.

DESERTS

Flan de vanilla

A Puerto Rican Classic. Flan is a classic Puerto Rican dessert (also known as an egg custard to many) and is made with a milk and egg base.

Gelatin fruit mold

Simple desserts are sometimes best.

Pernil Pork Sandwich

Pernil. Pork shoulder in the oven

Pollo guisado chicken stew

Pescado white fish

Skirt steak

Ensalada de papas potato salad