Meet Maria Ashley Dimalanta | Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Ashley Dimalanta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria Ashley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career because I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, connection, and marketing. What started as sharing food photos and videos for fun turned into a way to express myself, learn about different cultures, and support small businesses. When I interned at a food and beverage PR and marketing agency in LA, I realized how creativity and strategy work together to make an impact. Even though I started out studying biology, I discovered that content creation and marketing allowed me to blend my love for people, culture, and food in a meaningful way. It felt authentic—and I knew it was the path I was meant to take.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art comes through in storytelling, whether it’s through food photos, videos, or the captions I write. I love finding ways to make people feel something when they see my content, whether it’s excitement to try a new spot or appreciation for the people behind the food.

What sets me apart is how much heart I put into what I create. I really care about building connections and sharing stories that feel real and relatable. I’m most proud of how my foodie page, @ashleydimeats, has grown into a space that not only shows my love for food but also supports small businesses and local communities.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. Balancing school, work, and content creation took a lot of time and energy, and there were moments when I questioned if it would all pay off. What kept me going was remembering why I started in the first place. I love creating and connecting with people who share the same passion.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay authentic and consistent. People connect to genuine energy, not perfection. I want people to know that you don’t have to have everything figured out to start. If you love something, go for it and keep showing up for it every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting LA, I’d make sure we had the best week filled with good food and fun spots. We’d start one morning with a matcha latte, which is always a must for me. One of my favorite places for that is Damo in Koreatown, their matcha is vibrant and I love the vibe in there.

For lunch, we’d have to get tacos because you can’t come to LA without them. Angel’s Tijuana Tacos is one of my favorites. Their al pastor is cooked on a trompo and you can’t forget pairing it with a jamaica.

Since I love sushi, we’d definitely make a stop at Sushi Enya in Pasadena. The fish is always so fresh, and if we’re feeling fancy, ending the night with a good omakase is always worth it.

If you’re here on a Sunday, Smorgasburg LA at the Row DTLA is a must. It’s such a fun spot with food pop-ups, desserts, and little trinkets from small businesses. You can spend hours there just trying new things and meeting local vendors.

Overall, my perfect LA itinerary would be all about good food, cool neighborhoods, and supporting local spots that really make the city special.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would give my shoutout to my family and close friends who have always supported me through every creative idea and career move. They are the ones who encourage me to keep going, stay curious, and believe in myself even when things feel uncertain. I also want to recognize the small business owners, restaurant teams and other creators I have met through my foodie page. Their passion and love for what they do constantly inspire me to keep creating and sharing stories that highlight the people behind the food.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleydimeats/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-ashley-dimalanta-60901323a

Other: TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleydimeats