Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Manera grew up in her home with both parents, along with her wonderful older sister. She is also the proud mother of two teenagers, a son and daughter. A graduate of South Oak Cliff High School, home of the Golden Bears is where she discovered her passion for cooking.

In the 90s, her Home Economics teacher, Ms. Warren ignited her love for cooking. It was not just about preparing meals-it was about learning the fundamentals, like sewing and cooking basic dishes. Her very first best-seller was her chocolate chip cookies, which became so popular that people would call her parents late at night asking if she could make a batch. That moment sparked her curiosity thinking, What else can she cook?

Growing up, she was also influenced by her grandmothers and aunts, who were phenomenal cooks. She remembers her grandmother wanting to teach her older sister how to make a family staple, her famous Anxious Pie. She also wanted to learn, but as a young girl, she was told she was too young to be in the kitchen. Unfortunately, her grandmother fell ill shortly afterward and she missed the chance to learn her recipe. Nevertheless, her love for cooking only grew stronger, and she went on to study at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, where she learned the importance of building on foundational recipes and adding her own unique twist to make them her own.

Manera initially started MaNae's Cuisine as a meal prep business focused on healthy, southern-inspired dishes. Over time, she expanded her services to catering, where she had the opportunity to serve not just individuals, but entire groups, bringing a taste of MaNae's Cuisine to more people. Her culinary experience has also allowed her to work in farm-to-table restaurants and college kitchens, deepening her knowledge and skill set. Cooking is no longer just a hobby for her it's her passion.

When people ask what makes her food stand out, she always say it's cooked with love and joy. She takes pride in using quality ingredients and seasonings to create dishes that are full of flavor. She believes in slow cooking to allow the flavors to blend, creating a rich and satisfying profile that will delight the taste buds. While Southern cuisine is her specialty, she also enjoys experimenting with dishes from other cultures, including Italian, Chinese, and beyond.

In addition to cooking, she also is a passionate baker. Her best-selling item is her Caramel Macchiato Cake, which began as a trial-and-error project but quickly became a fan favorite. She continues to perfect it, and customers keep coming back for more. Although baking is a highlight, she also offers a variety of other cakes and desserts.

Beyond cooking, she has always loved music. She began singing in church as a child and later had the opportunity to perform classical music and musicals like Dreamgirls, where she portrayed Effie White. Music, like cooking, has the ability to stir emotions and transport you to another place, providing joy and peace. She also studied piano as a child and still dreams of returning to the instrument.

To sum it up, for her, cooking is much like music. It's about finding the perfect blend of ingredients, much like creating a melody. When people taste her dishes, she sees their faces light up, and she knows that she's created something that connects with them on a deeper level-just like music does. Food, like music, is truly food for the soul.