Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuel Lopez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am originally from Spain. As a young man, I lived in Barcelona and in the resort towns of La Costa Brava, where I held a variety of seasonal cooking jobs in small hotels and mom and pop restaurants; there I learned how to cook the fresh and wonderful foods of the Mediterranean coastal regions of Spain. Including Paella, one of the most delicious and appreciated dishes Spanish Mediterranean Gastronomy. While working in summers I attended culinary school in winters, graduating as a Culinary Arts Specialist.
In the early eighties, I came to Los Angeles to work at La Scala Restaurant in Beverly Hills, first as an apprentice and later as cook, where under the wing of Chef Emilio, executive chef of La Scala Restaurant, I acquired a vast amount of culinary knowledge from his teachings.
In the mid-nineties, I started my catering career working as a personal chef and party coordinator for my own clientele and collaborating with a selected group of boutique catering companies. As a personal chef, I worked for the Consul General of Spain as a chef and event coordinator at the Consul general’s private residence, and for many celebrities. In 2005 Paradigm Talent Agency offer me a position of Sous Chef/Food and Beverage Coordinator at their headquarters in Beverly Hills. I worked for them for eight years, and then in 2014 I left Paradigm, and restarted my career as a personal Chef and caterer. And in late 2014, I created “The Paella Artisan Catering” a catering company that specializes in authentic Spanish Paellas and Tapas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? After being out of the catering business for some years, the biggest challenge was to reintroduce myself in the catering world, letting people know how unique, The Paella Artisan was, and rebuilding our good reputation; essential elements, in any successful and profitable business.
The Paella Artisan Catering – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What set apart The Paella Artisan Catering from other catering companies, is that we offer a truly unique and unforgettable experience with our selection of authentic Spanish Paellas and Tapas.
We assemble and cook the Paella in full-view of our clients, providing a unique and a delicious meal and visual treat for our clients and their guests.
We proudly source the freshest ingredients and sustainable seafood so our Paellas are fresh, colorful, and packed with wonderful flavors.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Making my clients and their guest happy, making sure that when clients hire me for any event, they would know that they will be treated with respect and that dealing with me, will always be a positive and happy experience.
After all catering is a happy business, and in order to be successful, my clients have to be happy with the service provided by The Paella Artisan Catering.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pasadena, CA
- Website: thepaellaartisan.com
- Phone: 626-344-7161
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/thepaellaartisan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Paella-Artisan/748451215179499?ref=hl
- Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-paella-artisan-pasadena
Image Credit:
Herb West, Manuel Lopez
