An expatriate of New Orleans – and professional chef – who has lived in Los Angeles since her childhood, blogs about the journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles back to New Orleans, and points along the way.

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Catering to All the Special Moments in Life

By on Jan 19, 2010, 10:27 am in Celebrations, Reflections on the Catering Life | 0 comments

I received this touching e-mail last week which I want to share with you now.

"I'm writing today, as you've done such a wonderful job catering for our family during both happy and difficult times in the past, and sadly I fear we are facing a sad upcoming occasion. 

 
My dear mother, who has been gravely ill for several weeks, today entered palliative hospice care. My sister and I cannot imagine anyone but you and your company feeding our friends and family at such time as we will remember and celebrate her life. 

Understandably we do not have a timetable, it may be days, or longer… but in advance wanted to know if you would be able to help us when the time comes?

With thanks as always."

She wrote again 3 days later  to say that her mother had passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

I first catered a event for Lyla when she and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A couple of years after that it was her husband's 75th birthday, and finally three years ago, her husband's memorial service. Her daughter was right on, I have had the honor to be there at both "happy and difficult times" in their lives. I talked to Lyla's daughter a couple of times during the week. She shared thoughts and memories, and even struggles of her family. I was honored she felt so free to speak openly with me.

As business owners we hear over and over again, it's about the value you offer to others. While, as a caterer, I always place a very high value on the quality of food I serve, and how it's displayed, my mission  is really to create memorable celebrations for all the special moments in my clients lives. And very often, the mission goes way beyond the food we provide. Lyla's memorial was indeed, a celebration, and I have grown with her  family as they move through their milestone moments. I feel privileged to  have done so.

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