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The Marinated Mushroom: food with flair catering services
Melinda McDaniel is one of the lucky few whose career stemmed from a favorite hobby. As someone who always loved cooking, it only seemed natural for her to partake in the food industry when she decided to start a business of her own. She has spent the past 21 years as a professional caterer with her company, The Marinated Mushroom.
Melinda grew up in Bonifay and Marianna, Florida before moving to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University. With a degree in human sciences, she worked various jobs in the field. Later, while raising her son, she wanted to avoid sending him to daycare. It was then that she decided to embark on the adventure, as she calls it, by starting a business where she could be creative and still take care of her son. Despite switching industries, Melinda has still been able to integrate skills from her former work; her experience in human sciences emerges through the planning, organizational skills, and time management required for running The Marinated Mushroom. But beyond the practical skills, Melinda loves embracing a more creative side where she can deliver more than just a typical party.
At The Marinated Mushroom, Melinda explains the goal is to serve food with flair. Whether serving lunch at the café, hosting a catered party or themed event, she strives to take food people love and add her own twist, without leaving the budget. She finds that her customers not only appreciate the quality of food, but also her organizational skills; they just have to tell Melinda their ideas and she will take over from there. She plans the entire process, attends to all details, and always arrives on time. It is her commitment to honesty and hard work that makes each event a success. In addition the café and catering services, Melinda is currently trying to market her products and produce a line for gift, gourmet, and specialty shops. She explains that it is a slow, but rewarding process.
When she is not serving customers, Melinda tries to give back to the community. She has honored many requests by nonprofits over the years for gift certificates, food, and small event donations. With her company, she is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Florida Restaurant Association. She has also volunteered at the homeless shelter and is involved with Bradfordville Baptist Church. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, reading, traveling, and going to the beach.
Melinda emphasizes her love for her job and her inability to imagine doing anything else. She has high hopes for her business and the emerging product line and for the city of Tallahassee in general.
By: Lauren Novo, Staff Writer
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