Meet Marti Jones | Owner and Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marti Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marti, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
At the age of 4, I knew I wanted to become a chef, and everything I have done even as a child was to complete that dream. I started selling my famous pound cake at the age of 13 and it was the way I made extra money for the things such as trips and other wants. After business school and culinary school, I found out that I did not enjoy working in the restaurant setting. So I came home and decided I would start making cakes and bakery goods out of my parent’s house. After a very successful holiday season and my upcoming wedding, I decided to move into my own location and became a licensed caterer.

What should our readers know about your business?
Marti’s Cakes and Catering was built from my childhood dream of becoming a chef. I have loved to cook since I was little. After receiving my business degree, I went to culinary school to reach my dreams. After I started working in the industry, I learned that I did not enjoy working in that environment so I came home and started baking out of my parent’s house, and then when we grew into a catering service 6 months after opening. We moved into our own building and became a licensed catering business.

We are a catering company that takes your food vision and makes it a reality. We take southern classics and put a spin on them. We caterer all events from birthday parties, corporate events, weddings, and baby showers. We also ship gift boxes all over the country while also now providing wholesale items and online services by the end of the year. I take passion in making every event we do unique and different so no one event looks the same. We want each client to feel special and like they are the only clients we have as we work with them.
I love what I do and take pride in my work. This was a dream of mine at the age of 4 and I have made it my reality. I have worked hard and will continue to work hard to make this business a legacy for my family.

Was it easy??? Following my dream of becoming a chef, yes that was easy. Trying to be taken seriously at the age of 23 when I started? No, not at all. I felt more determined to prove to the people who thought I was too young that I could have my own business and manage it and the biggest part survive especially the 5-year mark. But here we are, coming up on our 8th year in business thriving.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love spending time in Atlanta. I went to culinary school in Charlotte and sometimes miss the bustle of Charlotte so Atlanta gives me that same feel just closer to home. So first of all I would make sure we would be in town on Saturday so that we could make sure we could make it to the Farmers Markets especially the one in Piedmont Park. Piedmont Parks Farmers Market has a great atmosphere and food. You have to be early but you must get Blue Donkey coffee, croissants, along with all the other wonderful things that they are selling there, make sure you get some bread from the german baker, some of the tea from Just Add Honey, their farmers market tea is so floral and wonderful and some jams and vinegar from Piedmont Provisions. So, if you are in Atlanta during baseball season a Braves game is a must-along with enjoying Battery Park with all the restaurants and shopping. I love shopping at the Ponce City Market love the atmosphere and all the food and outdoor seating. I especially love that William Sonoma is in this group of shops. Krog Street Market is a great place to find unique gifts and great food. I love the atmosphere here it is so laid back great for meeting friends for a drink and chatting on the porches. There are so many great restaurants scattered all over Atlanta such as the Flying biscuits for breakfast or brunch, Ray’s in the City, Rays on the River, Two Urban Licks, Canoe, and so many more that are so good

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to give a shout-out to my family. They have been so supportive through this whole process of starting and growing MCC. All of my family has helped in one way or another. We have all put something into this business to watch it grow. My mother has been collecting serving pieces since I was little. Knowing that one day I would my own catering business. My dad has helped fix the many problems that have come up in the shop from plumbing problems to reinforcing floors and walls They both have helped me countless hours cooking, packaging, and delivering during our busiest times.

I have to give credit to both of my grandmothers. They always included me while cooking in the kitchen. I remember as a child creating the menu for lunch, making sure we had everything we need, making sure the table was set just right. Both of my grandmothers always made sure I had plenty of cookbooks to read and cook through. I still carry on the tradition of picking up a local cookbook from any place we visit, making sure to notate when and where it was purchased.

The other person I have to give a huge shout-out to is my wonderful husband. He never questioned me when I called him 7 months before our wedding to tell him I wanted to move home and start MCC. He has supported me through every up and down of the business and of our life together. He is always is ready to see what new vision I have for expanding MCC and any other adventures that may come in our future.

Website: martiscakescatering.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martiscakescatering/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martiscakescatering

Other: https://www.instagram.com/martikelleyjones martikjones.com

Image Credits
Ashah Photography Leigh Wolf Photography Amanda Sumner Photography Two Chicks Photography Ali Harpe Photography