How New Shoes Led to Dreams of Great Customer Service in the Catering Food Service Industry
I stood, baffled, on the stairs of my aunt's French bistro restaurant. It was a snowy winter day in 2001. My mom dropped me off quickly and didn't mention I was starting a job in the food service industry.
Why was I watching my family truck drive away from my aunt's restaurant? I didn't know anything about great customer service. The catering food service industry was also a mystery. But I was about to get my first surprise lesson.
Stunned by being dropped off so suddenly, I tried to make sense of why I was there. It was a normal day in my 11-year-old life. I went to school and came home. But this wasn't part of my normal routine.
I glanced down looking at the worn shoes on my feet. More confusion. I told my mom I NEEDED to go shopping for new shoes just like my older sister’s. White Adidas with three black stripes. I thought we were headed shopping, but now I was here.
Curious, I got up, walked through the restaurant door, and spotted my aunt. My jaw dropped. Her hair, makeup, and the stunning dress she wore stopped me in my tracks. She was working the hostess desk. When I approached her, she asked me to step into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, the clanking dishes and the hustling servers were my first glimpse into the food service industry. Loic, the restaurant manager, greeted me with a smile. My aunt breezed in quickly and informed me I was now a working woman. She also said, “Take the bin and clear table 2, please.”
Taken back, I stared for a moment, then I grabbed the bin and started my career in the food service industry. At the end of my shift, my aunt told me to keep working hard and I would have those shoes in no time.
The Food Service Industry Became My Passion at a Young Age
While it was a hard arrival into the food service industry, it brought a lesson I’ll never forget. My family is full of hard workers. The lesson was to work hard to get what you want in life.
A spark awoke within me. The customer service experience is a vital part of working in the food service industry. Yes, I was motivated to make money. But I was also motivated by the idea of the customer service I was providing. I liked helping others, it felt good to offer great customer service.
I realized, my work can get people what they want in life. I was hooked on the experience of helping customers get the best customer service. Learn more about Wedding Planning Services.
As I grew older, I sought out new customer experience opportunities. I bounced around in the food service industry working at a pizzeria and then a local diner. But destiny struck, in 2006, at 16 years old I answered a newspaper ad in the help wanted section for a Banquet Server position at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga, NY. When I called a familiar voice answered on the other end, it was Loic!
I started working for Mazzone Hospitality filled with excitement to learn about event planning and the wedding planning industry. But when I arrived I realized there was more opportunity. I could reach new levels of great customer service through off-premise catering. This is where the stars aligned for me.
Life became exciting.
I got to work directly with Mark Delos. Mark is now Mazzone’s Vice President of Culinary. He reinforced the importance of customer service with catering. Mark’s philosophy was to put the client first always. He introduced me to event planning and off-premise catering.
I quickly worked my way up and was introduced to Angelo Mazzone, owner of Mazzone Hospitality. Doors opened as I made connections with people in the head of operations. I stepped into a management role in the catering food service industry and I felt like I found my way home. Now I had a team to make sure the client got great customer service. I joyfully thrived with event planning and discovered my full-service catering talent.
It just clicked for me. Each time I provided great customer service I gave a client the event experience they longed for. It was like me getting those new Adidas shoes I desired at 11 years old. If I can give each client the best customer service, they can get what they desire.
Those early customer service experiences in the catering food service industry were intoxicating. Bringing such joy left me overwhelmed with gratitude. I planted the seed to start my own full-service catering and hospitality business.
“Megan and her team are absolutely phenomenal. Starting with the planning process and ending with cleanup, Meg works to support your vision while offering her expertise. She goes above and beyond to create the perfect event…” -Emily
Ready to let Megabites Catering take care of all the hard work with wedding planning?
The Long Road Up to Masterful Event Planning with Catering
I knew I was meant to be an entrepreneur, but it wasn’t quite my time to go it alone in the catering food service industry. I left Mazzone Hospitality ready to open a pizzeria at seventeen years old.
In 2009, after a two-year run, I was ready to close the pizzeria and try something new. It was a short-lived era that brought life lessons.
As a new mother, I stepped back into the catering and food service industry. I needed to learn even more about the business end. That’s when I began working for Charlie’s Restaurant. This was a crucial turning point for me. I was given a leadership role and the opportunity to expand the restaurant with catering.
I put my catering and food service industry knowledge into practice. Black Tie Events & Catering took off with great customer service as its strength. That business landed me a management position at The Top Notch Tavern in 2016. It also gave me the experience of working with Shorty’s Rolling Hills Country Club.
“...Megan’s staff is dependable, kind, and hardworking. Megan checks in regularly before, during, and after events. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful vendor and team to work with!” -Emily
Megabites Catering brings you quality event planning services you can trust.
In 2017 I Got My Big Break with Event Planning and Wedding Catering
I landed a managerial role at The Bridge Walk with Black Tie Events and Catering. I could finally get my event planning and catering dream off the ground. This was a time of hard work and big risks in the catering food service industry. Those risks paid off, the business grew and I was doing what I set my heart on doing.
The lessons I learned regarding great customer service during this time were priceless. After years of working with Black Tie Events and Catering, I decided to move on. It was clear my business partnership had come to an end.
So I went on to manage restaurants in the food service industry. Occasionally, I would get to offer catering and event planning. This was my time to reflect and think about my next steps forward.
Then the pandemic hit and the wind changed. I was ready to move forward with my business goals. My fire for the catering food service industry was back to blazing bright.
“We held an event at The Bridge Walk last night. We had a brief meeting with Megan in January where she asked all the questions and translated that quick meeting to an absolute perfect evening!...” -Maureen
You and your guests deserve great customer service.
Megabites Catering Was Born During the 2020 Pandemic
We all needed more connection when COVID-19 struck. This need launched me back into business. Great customer service was necessary to meet the community's needs. I started by providing crave-worthy comfort food through catering deliveries. Then eventually I began event planning and got started with the Megabites Food Truck.
During this time I began a partnership with The Brill Manor venue. This was a fertile time. Next came the opportunity to house Megabites Catering out of the Bridge Walk’s full industrial kitchen.
The Megabites Food Truck books up quickly.
Megabites Catering Partners with the Bridge Walk Venue in Fall 2022 - 2024
It just fell into place, Megabites Catering made its own home at the Bridge Walk venue. The dream of helping people celebrate their connections and momentous benchmarks through full-service catering took off. This was an era of fresh air with event planning and wedding catering at the gorgeous Bridge Walk.
I was right back at doing what I loved at the Bridge Walk — and this time I was free to create my vision in the catering food service industry. My goals for great customer service continue to shape Megabites Catering. We began 2024 with The Megabar Mobile Bar Trailer business addition.
In 2024, we moved on from the Bridge Walk venue. I created and opened Anthony’s Market and Deli to continue building my hospitality vision.
“Top notch service. Friendly staff, and great food. Megan is an amazing planner. Had everything done and we had nothing to worry about. Have them plan your next event.” -Michelle
Get the full mobile bar service or rent the Megabar Trailer for your next party.
Meet the 2024 Megabites Team
This amazing team makes the magic happen at your stress-free event.
Megabites Caterings' Future Is Bright with Community in Mind
Starting in 2023 our business expanded in the catering food service industry. Megabites Catering has goals coming to life on the horizon. As we achieve these goals we remember a commitment to our community. As a mother of 3 teenagers, I’m always looking for ways to give back to the community that has offered my family so much.
Joining the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce has been helpful. I feel connected to my community more. My event planning and catering vision continues to take on new life with The Chamber's support. The connections it has helped me make have helped move Megabites Catering's goals forward.
All our success in the catering food service industry is due to two main factors. This special community we serve is the first. The Chamber of Commerce's involvement is the second. We’ll continue to extend a helping hand back through community fundraisers.
Do you have a community fundraiser you’re interested in starting? Click the button to reach out.
Great Customer Service Brings a Massive Sense of Gratitude
Acknowledging unions, life benchmarks, and even losses is important. It gives me such comfort to bring this needed service. Honoring moments that are fleeting in life is valuable. Megabites Catering is here to support your event no matter the need.
Bringing full-service catering and event planning to personal celebrations is fulfilling. It brings my life a sense of quality and depth. Being surrounded by people connecting and helping them enjoy their time is a great way to spend my life. It gives me a sense of purpose — it has been a journey that I’m humbled by.
At Megabites Catering we offer you more than simply food prep services. We aim to make your event complete. Full-service catering, event planning, and wedding planning services are our specialities. Let us work through the night and make your event stress-free for YOU.
“Even when things go off plan (Bartender calls in? No problem! - Slideshow stops working? No Problem!), Megan fixes it and keeps everything running smoothly. The food? The food was excellent (we received dozens of comments on that already!) and the room was set up beautifully! Megan and staff were super attentive and accommodating! We will absolutely be back for our next event!” -Maureen
Don’t settle for anything less than great customer service.