Her passion for baking led her to train at the renowned Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Naples, as well as the Scuola di Pizzaiolo just outside the city, where she mastered traditional Italian pizza techniques.

With over two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, Marisol opened her first brick-and-mortar establishment, Leña Pizza + Bagels, in downtown Cleveland, Mississippi. The pizzeria quickly gained national attention for its bold, handcrafted style and unique regional influences. Leña was recognised among the top pizzerias in the United States by The New York Times, and in 2024, Marisol earned a place on the Top 100 Best Pizza Chefs list — a testament to her growing influence in the world of pizza and her dedication to craft and quality.