The NCASS
#CatererMotivator
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We've spoken to a great selection of NCASS members in the past 12 months that continue to inspire, educate and motivate those out there looking to start up or expand a food or drink business. As a way to celebrate the hard work and passion you and other caterers up and down the UK put in each day to ensure customer satisfaction, we've taken a look back at just a few of our top Caterer Motivators from 2019.
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Anna Mae’s Mac ‘N’ Cheese was founded nearly ten years ago after globe trotters Anna and Tony developed a deep love of the cheesy concoction when touring America’s deep south. The duo discovered a gap in the UK market for the stateside classic and as such, their venture led them to gain the title of ‘London’s Original Mac Dealers.’
Their stars and stripes draped 1986 GMC Vandura van, (aptly named Burt Reynolds) and bright lighted trailer has become a familiar sight on the festival fields of the UK and the entrepreneurs even cooked at the London Olympics in 2012.
Usually found whipping up hot and bubbly macaroni under giant slogan signs such as ‘Cheesus Loves You’ and ‘Mac not Crack,’ Anna took some time out of her busy schedule to sit down with NCASS and chat all things cheese, compliancy and cookbooks.
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With a wealth of experience in retail and destination marketing, Clare drew on the many skills she'd honed in her previous role to get Coolercabs off the ground; and it is her branding and PR savvy, coupled with a brilliant product which has ensured a successful first year for the company.
Having catered for some of the world's most notable brands, Coolercabs set themselves up for success from the very beginning by carrying out mounds of research, finding a niche in the market and ensuring their branding was spot-on and consistent across all platforms; no stone was left unturned, no box unticked and it shows in everything from their product to their unit to their website.
We managed to grab Clare for ten minutes in between the chaos of running a business, working a part-time job and taking care of the couple's little girl, Isla to discuss everything Coolercabs.
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Lincolnshire based alfresco bar De-Canter was established in 2018 by husband and wife team, Tim and Michelle following their discovery that there was a gap in the market for ‘quirky’ mobile bars. The duo run the bespoke horse bar business around their day jobs; Tim as an Educational Consultant and Michelle, a PA.
After a busy year of getting the company off the ground, we caught up with the couple to discuss what they’ve learnt along the way and why it’s so important to adapt to change when setting up in the industry.
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Having spent ten years working in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the country, under the guidance of revered chefs; Dan decided it was time for a change of pace and so, fed up with '18 hour days confined to 4 kitchen walls', it was time to switch to '18 hour days standing outside!'
In an endeavour to 'do something for themselves' and armed with the self-discipline that comes with having worked under successful chefs, Dan and Steph established Chilli Dogs, cutting their teeth on the festival circuit before venturing in to private events too. They've now catered for some of the most renowned brands in the world, to include Virgin and ASOS and we'd be lying if we said we were surprised.
Dan and Steph haven't just focused on making one aspect of their business great; they've ticked every single box. Branding? Great. Food? Incredible. Customer Service? Second to none. This approach is instrumental to success in an industry where turning to a competitor often means taking just a few steps or clicking another profile. We spoke to Dan and Steph about why it's so important to them to get every aspect of their business spot on and why people are more important than profits.
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Beki’s passion for food was shaped as a child, having spent many an hour in her family kitchen with her mum and grandmother, preparing and enjoying handmade food. For the now respected market and street food trader, working in the food industry was always the goal – until she went to college and was sadly discouraged from pursuing an education and a career in catering.
Beki subsequently opted to study a sports-based degree but could never shake the feeling that cooking was what she was destined to do. Following her graduation, she found work with NCASS member Spectacular Goat and fell in love with street food and the engagement it enables between trader and customer. Whilst working for Spectacular Goat, Beki had the idea to begin selling her now legendary brownies and found that they sold out every single time. Soon after, Beki’s Brownies launched and in its first three years, traded solely at markets; when in 2018, Beki decided it was high time she apply to street food events such as Digbeth Dining Club which had informed her love of street food in the first instance.
Our Caterer Motivator features focus on NCASS members who are doing great things and Beki is testament to the fact that success rarely follows a straight line; there are highs and lows but if you come in to the industry for the right reasons – with a love of creating and sharing your food then there is a place for you, even when things feel a little bleaker than expected.
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