Today we’d like to introduce you to Amily Sauceda-Garza.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began cooking at a very young age, helped my mother who was severely asthmatic and house chores specially cooking was a task for her to accomplish. My father taught me the kitchen basics and my responsibilities were to assist in the kitchen while my older siblings worked and helped care for our mother.
Cooking became a passion of mine and as I grew older, I grasped on new techniques and recipes and incorporated them in family dinners. Cooking at home was a must for me and my family. It allowed time to sit down at the table, have family time and enjoy wonderful home cooked meals. I married, started a family and continued the tradition in my home with my very own family.
My passion of catering did not start until I was faced with a life changing circumstance (divorce) which caused for a need of a second job as a single parent to 3 children. I was offered a part time concession job with Bobby Martinez, owner of Bobby’s Fajitas. I worked the concession stand at the Fort Worth Cats stadium in Fort Worth and quickly learned the techniques of catering to large crowds. Through networking, I was offered positions with other catering companies and experienced the industry by working Dallas Cowboys fashion galas, Maverick’s VIPs, local concerts and MMA/UFC events. My love for cooking plus the experience of working with large crowds awaken a new fire within me.
Still managing a full-time job as an executive within the mortgage industry, I managed time for my family and for my part time catering gigs. I really enjoyed the experience and decided to slowly look into starting my own company.
After the mortgage crisis in 2010, I was faced with another challenge; I was out of a job and now only had the part time catering opportunities. I was fortunate enough to meet a friend who had recently moved from Chicago and was an owner of a catering company who catered to famous people, including Oprah Winfrey as her client. Jen Zymantas mentored me and opened new doors for me as I experienced partnership with her in operating Stainless Staffing and Catering, a company started by Jen.
We catered together and the experience I gained as a business owner was impeccable! Due to unfortunate health issues within her family, Jen had to leave the catering world behind. I operated Stainless Staffing and Catering for about another year and half, before we ended the partnership. In all respect to what Jen originally started, I let go of the Stainless Staffing and Catering name/logo and I started over.
In 2014, Saucey’s Catering was founded. I was willing to start over, market to the wedding industry and corporate world.
My first catering opportunity was for a wedding of 300 guests. With help from my family (3 children, close relatives and fiancé at the time), we successfully catered the event. We did not have nearly the equipment we have today, and yet the satisfaction of victory at the end of the night; confirmed what my purpose was; Catering.
Today, and with the help of my 3 children and my husband, we successfully own and operate Saucey’s Catering. We serve within the DFW metroplex and surrounding areas. We specialize in American, Italian and authentic Mexican cuisine. Saucey’s continues to flourish and succeed meeting and incorporating today’s catering demands. My husband is a self-taught baker and we now offer wedding catering packages including cakes.
Saucey’s still has a lot of growth to do; but meanwhile, we are enjoying the ride.
Has it been a smooth road?
There has been many challenges, mostly come from financial aspect. Since I worked to maintain a home with 3 children as a single parent, it was difficult to have enough for their support plus building what I now have. Equipment was not cheap and in the catering wedding industry, it’s a tough competition. Marketing on a budget has had its difficulties as well, but I learned to market smart; meaning using lots of word of mouth, referrals, and printing flyers from home. Today, we still face some challenges, but have social media as a great networking and marketing tool.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Saucey’s Catering – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Saucey’s catering is an all-inclusive catering company. We offer full services for buffet style or plated meals. Included in our packages is delivery, set up, dinnerware (option of faux disposable china or actual dinnerware/flatware and stemware), serving (buffet/plated), wait staff, table bussing, beverage refills, and clean up. We have TABC certified bartenders and also offer custom cakes for birthdays, special events and weddings.
I have always been a very loving and caring person. Everyone we come in contact with, we tend to show our hearts to them. Most clients past and current can tell you that Saucey’s treats them like family; from the beginning of the communication/inquiry process up to the date of event.
I’m proud that something I have been blessed with (passion of cooking), has allowed me to grow into a flourishing company. What’s more rewarding is receiving the hugs at the end of the night, the “thank yous”, reading reviews and learning of new potential clients because of the job well done. Saucey’s leaves a lasting impression.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The saying “everything is big in Texas” fits my description of what I love the most about our city and state. There is plenty of opportunities to share with other catering companies and there’s always a reason to eat. We love food and this industry is not going anywhere any time soon.
Pricing:
- All-inclusive Catering packages start as low at $14.00 per person (includes one entree, 2 sides, bread and beverage)
- Cake discounts available for Wedding/Event packages (cakes start at $1.75 and up- pending flavor/style/design)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sauceyscatering.net
- Phone: 469-766-7439
- Email: amilysauceda@sauceyscatering.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sauceys_catering
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sauceyscatering
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
