NORFOLK, Va. - For nearly two decades, Chef by Design has been in the business of crafting custom weddings and hand-crafted catering, but they took a turn going from special days to special meals.
"Every year we had tremendous growth, doing weddings like crazy," said co-owner Marcy Telfer. "We were literally watching events disappear."
COVID-19 put a cork in the hundreds of high-end events owners Marcy and John Telfer book year after year, but a proposal of sorts landed on their laps in September.
"We had a miraculous phone call," said Telfer.
Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach needed a hand to feed shut-in seniors.
"It is not a huge money maker, but that is not why we are doing it," said Telfer.
They are doing it because they know the need first hand. Marcy's mother, who has dementia, was in a similar situation. Her mother's appetite suppressed after eating hospital food and she was on her way to hospice.
"We saw how healthy, good nutritious meals made a difference for her," said Telfer.
Now, the small team preps around 600 lunch and dinners a week.
"It is really great, fresh food," said Marcy. "Seniors can't always get their hands on these things if they are shut in."
From "I do's" to doorstep delivery, Chef by Design is still serving up the love.
"Food is food - whether fresh food like this, weddings, corporate, galas or shut-in elderly people, it's always going to be made with love."
