Paola Ramm, better known as Paola was born in 1320 in Basque. As a child, she was training to be a cook and her talent shines through when serving her feline counterparts in her early years of training. Once employed as a chef and later as a domestic by the Spanish royal family, Paola worked hard in order to support her husband and their growing family. When it was time to start a career of her own, Paola Ramm’s luck turned bad when her marriage to Paco del Sarmiento was annulled due to adultery. Now in need of money, Paola packed her bags and headed for Europe in order to find work.
The Spanish Government offered Paola free passage across the straits and she made her way to the port of Basque where she landed and immediately started working as a cook. Although Paola was knowledgeable about cooking, in this new country, she quickly discovered that her lack of language and knowledge of the local culture was inhibiting her from establishing a career of her own. Despite her lack of education and experience, Paola did manage to establish a successful fishing business in recognition with King Charles III. As luck would have it, Charles was a keen sport for the skilled woman who had managed to establish a successful fishing business. He immediately promoted her to his personal chef and invited her and Paco to his castle where they were treated to sumptuous meals, well-appointed rooms and the best wine of the kingdom had to offer.
In agreement with King Charles, Paola was given the option to live permanently in Spain or leave the country if she wished. Although, she decided to stay and begin a new life as a cook in the house of the king. Charles was so impressed by the woman that he offered her the chance to live with him in his fortress – giving her the opportunity to learn the language and culture of the Spanish language while earning a living doing something she loved. Paola Ramme became one of Spain’s first professionally educated women and even obtained an advanced degree in the Spanish language and culture after only a short time in Spain.