Mater Iniciativa is an interdisciplinary organization that aims to articulate knowledge through research, interpretation and cultural expressions.
We are a place of learning, experimentation and cultural communication seeking to satisfy curiosity by sharing our findings. We aim to promote creativity and spark emotions through art and performance, we wish to transcend boundaries by collaborating and creating concepts with positive impacts, we want to preserve agrobiodiversity and the cultural features of the various human groups we approach.
Mater creates gastronomic concepts with distinct identities for Central, Kjolle, Mayo (Lima), and Mil (Cuzco), the organization also designs and facilitates the implementation of cultural-, culinary- and academic projects that align with our values.
MATER I.A.
Mater I.A. is our Culinary Experimentation Area, a space where Mater’s discoveries are explored and applied in a food- and beverage context. This is where select projects, chosen by our team, are developed and enshrined in our gastronomic concepts.

OUR VALUES
Versatility. Being flexible and able to adapt to unfamiliar worlds is crucial. Every approach to a new community is both a learning process and the beginning of a cultural exchange.
Healthy social relationships. Keeping all communication channels open is critical to learning and building relationships.
Teamwork. It is essential that people work to the best of their abilities. Every role is important, and every function is valuable. Each one of us is a leading team player.
Reflection. Forging new paths, staying perpetually curious and evolving requires self-reflection and careful evaluation of all actions and steps taken.
Exploring beyond the comfort zone. New opportunities can only be had by avoiding the routine and venturing into the unknown.
Resourcefulness. Less talk and more action will lead to new possibilities, new tools and better work methods. More actions
Adaptability. It is imperative to be flexible and versatile as all environments differ and possess their own social dynamics, cultural features and personal experiences.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
Virgilio Martínez
Managing Director
MALENA MARTÍNEZ
Deputy Managing Director
Pia Leon
Culinary Director (Experimentation)
VERONICA TABJA
Director of Art and Culture Projects
DIOGO MIRANDA
Director of Strategy and Growth
Rodrigo Cabrera
Management assistant
Camila chavez
Culinary Research Latin America
Santiago fernandez
Culinary Experimentation
Ines Castañeda
Mater IA Concept Developer
Luis valderrama
Culinary Experimentation MIL
Daan Overgaag
Anthropologist
Valentino Galán
Beverage Research Director
Maria Alejandra Martinez
Beverage Research – Coffee
Lio Porras
Mater IA Beverage Research
Manuel Contreras
Beverage Research MIL
Nilver Melgarejo
Cacao Research
Manuel Acurio
Agronomist MIL
Marcelo Gonzalez
Farm Management and Liaison MIL
Mariana Espejo
Administrator
Lorena Serrudo
Administrative Assistant
Ken motohasi
Photographer
Lidsay brito
Biology and Ethnobotany
