Today we’d like to introduce you to Marty Lim
Hi Marty, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in central Los Angeles, and am a first generation Filipino-American. I was interested in food from an early age, inspired by the endless variety of amazing food in the city, and by my mom’s cooking of various Filipino specialties. This is the environment that planted the seed of my desire to pursue a future career in creating a wide variety of culinary experiences for others, and using only the fresh, healthy and flavorful ingredients so easily available and widely used in Southern California. I began my culinary career in my early 20’s at LA’s hugely popular and successful Joan’s On Third casual bistro. was inspired by owner/founder chef Joan McNamara’s philosophy of perfectly prepared casual food and uncompromisingly impeccable service. Next, I worked at the catering department of LA fine dining establishment Patina, creating dishes for huge events such as the Emmys, Grammys etc to private event clients. I then went to Lulu Powers Food to Flowers, creating menus and dishes for events catered and designed by celebrity event planner Lulu Powers. The common thread among these formative gigs are that both employers and clients expected perfection, in every way, and I was trained that less than that was simply unacceptable. That, along with my natural perfectionism, has given me an uncompromising approach to providing clients the absolute best in every aspect of culinary and event experiences. Maybe to a fault. But it is what it is…I can’t help it! Seeking a change of pace and scenery, my partner Edward and moved to the West Palm Beach area of South Florida in 2013. There, I continued my culinary career, working as Executive Chef at Palm Beach event and private catering company Someone’s In The Kitchen. Our flight from Hurricane Irma in 2017 brought us (along with seemingly half of Florida!) to Atlanta, a city neither of us knew much about but upon discovering it absolutely loved it. We missed living in a genuine big city, but didn’t want the chaos and hassle of a megacity like LA, and Atlanta looked like it might fit the bill for us for us perfectly and we moved here in late 2017. We very happily discovered our instincts about the city were correct,
and we are very happily transplanted Atliens! This city has been so good to me, professionally and otherwise. I went into business for myself, creating Chef Mary Lim LLC, providing both in-home personal chef and event catering services. I am truly blessed and honored to serve my clients.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think I’ve really had any particular obstacles than anyone pursuing their passion through creating a small business hasn’t. There’s been challenges and stressful situations, of course. Deciding to go into business for myself in a market as
competitive and sophisticated as Atlanta was a big step. But nothing worthwhile is easy! The pandemic threw all kinds of challenges at all of us of course, which I think Atlanta came together and worked through as well as we possibly could. Atlantans, new and longtime, really seem to have a sense of civic togetherness that’s pretty uncommon these days. Maybe one of the biggest ones is the pressure I put on myself to be sure that every aspect of my services for every client in every instance is as close to perfection as is possible. I push myself, and people that I hire to assist me for events, pretty hard. But like I said before…I just don’t know any other way to do it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My services include weekly service, private dinners, full service catering, and corporate events.
What sets me apart as a private chef is my personalized approach to each client. I take the time to understand their preferences, dietary needs, and culinary goals, ensuring that every meal is tailored to their taste. Additionally, my experience with a variety of cuisines allows me to offer unique dishes that elevate the dining experience. I prioritize fresh, local ingredients and emphasize creativity, making each meal not just sustenance but an experience. My strong communication skills and professionalism also ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for my clients.
How do you think about luck?
In terms of luck, I feel very fortunate to do what I love as a career, which I think is a lucky thing. In a way I think that preparation meeting opportunity equals luck. One interesting area where luck absolutely played a part: Hurricane Irma bringing me to Atlanta. Edward and I had realized South Florida wasn’t for us as a permanent residence (too hot, spread out, hurricanes etc) and Atlanta never would have occurred to us if Irma hadn’t brought us here. It’s been a great fit, and the city has been very good to me. And as the saying goes, the rest is history!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chefmartylim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefmartylim
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefmartylim?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefmartylim?_t=8qgXAoyTRk3&_r=1
