Moroccan-Inspired Catering Business Takes Spanish Entrepreneur to the Senate
Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, Mariem Serroukh saw her life change at 30 when an illness left her unable to work. Fourteen years later, she runs a catering business inspired by Moroccan cuisine. The venture has even opened the doors of the Spanish Senate to her.
In 2012, Mariem Serroukh had just celebrated her 30th birthday when she learned she had multiple sclerosis. The disease severely affected her mobility. The relapses continued, and doctors told her she would no longer be able to work. She was recognized as having total permanent incapacity. Now 44, the Spanish woman of Moroccan origin tells the daily newspaper 20 Minutos how a family recipe helped her rebuild her career.
After her diagnosis, Mariem left Madrid with her family and moved to Piedralaves, a village in the province of Ávila. Her relapses gradually became less frequent, and she regained some of her mobility.
She befriended farmers and livestock breeders in the area. One day, she was asked to prepare a Moroccan specialty for a charity event. Her handmade little rolls were such a hit that she considered turning them into a business.
Moroccan recipes take her to the Spanish Senate
A subsequent move back to Madrid forced her to put her project on hold. During the pandemic, a former supplier got in touch again: his wife wanted to taste the rolls Mariem used to make. The order gave the venture a new lease on life.
At a Red Cross event, Mariem later learned about a program run by the Prevent Foundation for entrepreneurs with disabilities. After being selected, she completed advanced entrepreneurship training and developed Rollitos Mariem, a catering business specializing in small sweet and savory rolls inspired by Moroccan and Andalusian cuisines.
The mother of four now runs the business with help from her family. Her relatives help make the rolls, while she creates the recipes, organizes the work and oversees orders for businesses and individuals.
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Her journey has earned her several accolades. In May 2026, Mariem received an award at the Mujeres en Gastronomía congress, held in Alicante. She was also invited to speak at the Spanish Senate about her experience.
The illness nevertheless continues to shape her daily life. She has to go to the hospital every two weeks for treatment and adapt her work to her health.
“My business is my way of telling myself that I still have value,” she told 20 Minutos. Mariem also describes how other people’s perceptions have changed. For a long time, she was defined by her Moroccan origins, her headscarf or her illness; now, she is recognized for her culinary creations.
