Ajua in Playa Del Carmen submitted Description
AJUA Maya evolves daily with fresh new ideas, recipes and live Latin jazz and dance music to keep you entertained in the wonderful ambiance of a fine restaurant with a cantina setting, a lush tropical garden and open air palapa dining, where you can come, relax, have fun and enjoy the paradise of Playa del Carmen.
“What a talented staff we acquired,” relays Brenda. “When we entered the restaurant for the first time as owners, I gingerly spoke with the young Mayan Chef, Pedro Balam Dzul. My fears that we may have a chef who was difficult and macho were quickly laid to rest. This marvelous self-taught chef, who remains with us today, is such a natural talent, capable and calm, and a joy to work with.”
With the support of Chef Pedro, only a few changes were made after their 2001 acquisition. The most significant were a commitment to quality with excellent service and a participatory management work environment. This team effort and commitment to quality finally gave the Chef and Ajua's staff the tools for success – a stable and fun working environment, individual recognition and the commitment to maintain quality by purchasing only the highest quality seafood, steaks, vegetables, and ingredients available on the Riviera Maya.
“We withstood quite a first year,” remarked Jorge Alfaro. “I am from the state of Chiapas and I arrived in Playa del Carmen knowing hardly anyone. In Latin America that can make it very difficult to successfully manage a business. Thanks to the envy of quite a few fellow business owners, who seem to push us out of the restaurant market (for many in the area, competition is not welcomed), I have met so many wonderful officials and people.”
“Brenda and I laugh sometimes at that first year. Those who sent us health inspections at midnight, unionization attempts, repeated complaints that our tables were 2-4 inches beyond are street front limits or our band's music was too loud, had no idea they were actually doing us a favor. Since then, we now have wonderful contacts, both in government and the community, and life in paradise is fantastic.”
Brenda and Jorge personally invite you to come join the AJUA Maya family of friends, customers and employees and to experience the most marvelous food, fun and service in Playa del Carmen and, as some say, in the world of restaurants.
Nightly you can dance to the music of Tierra Vera, their fantastic Latin band; meet Jorge and Brenda Alfaro and their manager Jorge (yes, Brenda has 2 for 1 – Jorge her husband and Jorge the manager – lucky girl!); Chef Pedro and his talented crew; Pedro, their public relations manager and Victor their assistant manager; and the fantastic Wild Fresh Mayan waiters, bartenders and the remainder of their staff who work every day to keep Ajua Maya’s success on the go.
They will ensure to keep the lights on, the tequila flowing, and the fine food coming with wild fresh Mayan waiters dancing to your table serving you fresh lime margaritas and flavors that you will savor for a lifetime. AJUA!