Every year when March arrives and we celebrate International Women’s Day, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary women who make up the heart of 12th Street Catering.
when I reflect on the women who greet me, collaborate with me and genuinely share their lives with me, I know how fortunate I have been. From our finance office to our sales team, from operations to our culinary kitchens, bakery, and décor and hospitality teams, I am reminded of something simple and profound.
12th Street Catering exists because of women.
More than forty years ago, this business began in a very small kitchen in the bustling aisles of Reading Terminal Market. At the time, I could not have imagined what it would grow into. I simply loved cooking, feeding people, and creating moments of joy through food.
What I also could not have imagined was the remarkable community of women who would join this journey.
Over the decades, I have had the privilege of working alongside women who are brilliant problem solvers, fearless leaders, meticulous planners, creative visionaries, and deeply compassionate hosts. Women who lead teams, run kitchens, manage complex logistics, build client relationships, and create the beautiful details that make events unforgettable.
They are the ones who turn an empty space into a celebration.
They are the ones who transform ideas into experiences.
They are the ones who show up early, stay late, and care deeply about the work we do.
They do it with grace, humor, resilience, and extraordinary talent.
What humbles me most is that so many of these women have built their careers here. They have grown with this company, shaped it, strengthened it, and carried it forward in ways that continue to inspire me every single day.
When people ask me what I am most proud of after more than four decades in business, the answer is easy.
It is the people.
The women who lead our teams.
The men and women who mentor the next generation.
The people who support one another through long days, busy seasons, and life outside of work.
Together they have built a culture that is collaborative, supportive, and deeply rooted in hospitality. Not only for our guests, but for one another.
That is the 12th Street Difference.
And it is something I feel incredibly grateful for every single day.
With Appreciation,
Michele
