Today we’d like to introduce you to María Mendez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us María. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am from Venezuela, and I started cooking when I was seven. I later went on to become a dentist, but quickly discovered I had a passion for cooking, so I opened a restaurant and operated it until 2010 when I moved to Frisco. After moving to Frisco, I was a stay at home mom, while still cooking, baking, and planning parties for my family and friends. In February, a friend called me to make food, and plan an event to celebrate ten years since she opened her dental office. Shortly after that, a lot of people started calling me requesting me as a private chef to plan their events, decorations, cheese tables and dessert tables. At this time, I started @foodpassiondallastx. By starting it, I am able to express my love for cooking, while adding my own touches of culture and flavors.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely the language. I am from Venezuela, where the native language is Spanish, so learning English and learning to communicate was really hard for me. I am also a mom of two, so trying to balance my family’s busy schedule and my cooking was also hard.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Foodpassiondallastx – what should we know?
My business is called Foodpassiondallastx. I specialize in gourmet cooking and desserts for parties and large events. I am most known for my cakes, cheese tables, appetizers, small desserts such as my passion fruit mousse, my Lebanesefood, and my paellas. Something that sets me apart from others, and I am most proud of is that I incorporate a lot of elements from my culture into my cooking.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mom and my dad, who encouraged me to start cooking, and have always pushed me to do my best in my business, my aunts, who gave me all the family recipes, and taught me most of what I know, my husband, who helps me out with deliveries, decorations, and supports me every step of the way, my daughter and my sister, who gave me the idea to start my business, and my good friend from Venezuela, that helped me better my technique at making cakes, and served as my mentor when I was getting started.
Contact Info:
- Address: 14454 Bandera Ave.
- Phone: 2148437877
- Email: foodpassiondallastx@gmail.com
- Instagram: @foodpassiondallastx
Image Credit:
IG: @mualovemakeup
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
