Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Salazar.
Matthew , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
This is actually my second interview with VoyageATL Magazine. I did a piece about 10 years ago when I first started my business. I was asked to do another one and I look back to the old me that took a chance on myself. It’s been a journey for sure.
I started my personal chef/catering business about 10 years ago. The 10 year mark is this May. I left Here to Serve as one of the Exec Chefs there before the collapse of the company and started My Culinary Table not knowing if it was going to succeed or not. I am very fortunate to have come this far.
I have done catering, private chef services, personal chef services and restaurant consulting for my business. I try to be multi dimensional in this industry. Hands in everything and trying to learn it all.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With all businesses you have your ups and downs, but I have been blessed to still be here and thriving. I am always grateful to my clients that have hired me throughout the years. Most of them are repeat clients and I never advertised so that shows me that I was on the right path. Repeat clients and referrals is what made My Culinary Table come this far.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started very small scale cooking for couples for their anniversaries and birthday dinners. From there I started to do small dinner parties. Eventually I started to do private chef services for professional athletes and entertainers. I moved on to catering larger dinner parties and events. That’s what I do now. I love going into peoples’ homes and cooking them a special meal on their special day with their loved ones. Something very gratifying to do for my clients.
What sets me apart from other chefs in this field? I don’t like to have that title chef. It’s so overused now. I am a cook. I cook for you. There are too many chefs these days. It’s a water downed industry. Most have no experience in the kitchens. Just like any business you have to earn your stripes. Just because you wear a chef jacket doesn’t make you a chef.
I care about my clients. They are like family to me. What they want is what they will get. I never say no to them. This industry is about hospitality and we as chefs should give the clients 100% of us. Not just make a fancy plate, but putting love in your food. Putting all your heart into the whole service. To me customer service is king. My clients’ guests should be treated like they paid me. That’s how I want them to feel. Without them we wouldn’t be here
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I think it’s the experience that makes My Culinary Table set apart from the others. I don’t let any chef work with me. The help I get from my team are chefs that has been in this industry for many years. They also care just like me and when we come into your home we want you to feel at ease. We want your event to be a success. We want to make it memorable for you. My Culinary Table has been around for about 10 years in Atlanta now. We plan to be around for another 10 years. Thank you to every person that hired me throughout the years. Thank you for letting me be in your kitchen….in your home
Contact Info:
- Email: myculinarytable@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myculinarytable
- Other: 404-858-8409
