Today we’d like to introduce you to Celia Wayne.
Hi Celia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started when I was a little girl in the kitchen, covered in flour, with my Grandma Helen. Dad would be mowing her lawn and taking care of yardwork, and she would insist on making us lunch. She was always making something, whether it was her famous chicken and dumpling soup, or a Polish family recipe that my dad loved. Being from a HUGE Polish family, there was always something simmering on the stove. Everything always smelled soooo good, and her food brought the whole family together at the table whenever we were at her house.
After many years of being in a different career field after moving from Wisconsin to Florida (I followed my passion for performing, and worked in the entertainment department of a major theme park company for 8 years), I decided to follow this other inspired passion of mine: cooking. Food to me is family. And creating memories together over a warm plate of food is something I strive to do every day at work for our clients. It reminds me of all of those family dinners and parties growing up, where everyone gathered in the kitchen while mom and my aunts were cooking. We laughed, smiled, and just enjoyed being together. I started years ago with making things as simple as pasta sauce, fresh dough, and sandwiches. And now years later, and after surviving during a pandemic, we’ve expanded to items like roast racks of lamb with mint garlic orzo, and cracklin’ maple pork loin with buttered baby potatoes. The customers now range from happy local theme park cast members wanting dinner for their families, all the way up to weddings of around 150 people. I LOVE what I do, and getting to make people smile through my food, will always remind me of growing up with my family. And while my Grandma Helen and my wonderful father aren’t here anymore, I know they’re smiling down on me from above, and are happy we’ve come so far. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh goodness, I’m convinced that every road in life has some high speedbumps, so ya better make sure you’ve got a strong frame and tires to handle them. For starters, trying to keep a catering company alive during a global pandemic was nothing short of a challenge. At the beginning, grocery stores were beyond limited with supplies, and finding some basic ingredients was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. At the end of the day, we all still needed to eat, and I was bound and determined to do everything I could to make sure families were taken care of without worry.
A more recent struggle has been the current loss of my dad in January. When you lose someone who was not only such a crucial part of your life but your hero, your spark tends to die a bit with them. Finding my joy again has been challenging at times because I see so much of him in everything I do. But thanks to my wonderful family, my partner in life, Nick, and hearing my dad’s voice in the back of my head to keep moving forward, I’ve been able to do just that. And because of that little life mantra, business has blossomed even more.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Celia Wayne, and I’m the head chef and owner of Cooking with Character, a boutique Central Florida catering company that specializes in private events, and specialty meal services for local families and vacationers to our beautiful state.
I’m most proud of our personal service to our clients. While our food speaks for itself (not only safety, but quality is our top priority), we provide a level of friendly service that makes everyone feel like they’re part of our family. We strive to create a welcoming environment for all. We’re known for our friendly staff, magical deliveries with that added happy pixie dust for vacationers, and for helping create memories that will last a lifetime.
I think what sets us apart is that our foundation is based on family. I didn’t start this company just because I know how to cook, but because I believe there should be joy and love in every home, just like there always was in mine. Whether it’s cooking a week’s worth of meals for a party of 1, or an event downtown for a party of 100, we want you to feel like family. Everyone, no matter where they’re from, their creed, gender, or job, is ALWAYS welcome at our table.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by being able to dust yourself off after stumbling and to keep moving forward. Life isn’t perfect, and neither is any job or career. Those speed bumps are everywhere haha! If you stop moving, life is going to keep on moving without you, so you better keep up, and enjoy the ride.
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