Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Ramirez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Huntsville, Alabama and first developed a fascination for cooking while watching my mother prepare family meals. Before long, I was making recommendations and taking over the kitchen.
After working in several restaurants throughout high school and an upscale Washington DC steakhouse, I decide to follow my passion and move to Miami for formal training.
I spent many years cooking at various restaurants, as a line cook, Sous chef and later a head chef. Then I decided to go back to school to sharpen my skills, so I attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and Graduated with honors.
Through these experiences, I realized that there was a lot of room for improvement in most areas of the industry, whether it be management, culinary quality or service. As a result, customers were frequently disappointed with the quality of the overall dining experience.
This inspired me to start Exquisite Bites Catering. From the first day, my dedicated team and I have proudly been the exception, always meeting and exceeding the unique expectations of each client.
Great, 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?
Life is never a smooth road, there will always be hardships and struggles. Myself, I grew up with a single mother who thought me right from wrong and how to be a gentleman, but as a teenager you don’t always listen. I struggled with school and got into trouble maybe a little more than others.
I started my cooking career at 15 years old working as a bus boy/dishwasher. Not shortly after that a basic prep cook for the line. I worked in various kitchens trying to find the right fit and frequently questioned whether this was what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life. My friends were graduating high school with plans to leave for college and I began to note that my high school choices had left me ill prepared for life.
Shortly after graduating high school I decided a change was needed. I decided to move to Miami and pursue my passion of becoming a chef. Obviously, it wasn’t that easy. After packing everything I owned and driving to Miami and establishing residency, my application was denied from Johnson & Whales culinary school. This was a big disappointment although it made me realize much more work was needed to improve my credentials if this was the path I wanted.
I proceeded to work here and there in the restaurant industry seeking a good fit for me. After a great deal of self analysis, I realized that I was making life choices that were not going to lead me down the path that I desired. I realized that I had not only made bad choices in the past but that I was continuing them in my current lifestyle of working over 50 hours a week, spending my hard earned gains with drinking and partying after every shift. Once again, I recognized the time had come for me to take the initiative to make changes to my use of time and money through education. As I had built my credentials and acquired the necessary prerequisites, I was accepted into Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Following graduation and internships I recognized my real dream was to open a catering company as a Private Chef and started Exquisite Bites in 2009.
As a small business owner, you quickly learn it’s not easy starting something from nothing with nothing. Although, to built the business one step at a time, and see how each step makes a difference is the reward. Over the years I have gained the trust of my wonderful clients and with that encouragement, have created a wonderful company that provides catering for all types of events.
The key to my success and continuing success is to maintain consistent customer service and quality.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Exquisite Bites Catering – what should we know?
Here at Exquisite Bites Catering we specialize in the client’s ideas and requests. Our primary goal is the client’s complete happiness and satisfaction. We pride ourselves on local and fresh Miami ingredients, as well as dedicated service from start to finish.
We have also branched out into the weekly healthy meal plans and create a wonderful menu each week for our clients in the Miramar, Davie, Pembroke Pines and Weston areas.
I have also been preparing and selling locally for the past 6 years Chef Anthony’s Smoked Wahoo Fish Dip which is now available from the Amazon Fresh local market.
I am known as an artist who, uses simple culinary items, to create cuisines of phenomenal flavors with exquisite aromas to please the eye and delight the palate.
I am proud of how my company has grown and continues to grow each and every year.
We put 110% effort into everything we do, create menu packages to meet the desires and ideas of each client. We provide an ingredient that most people don’t and that ingredient is
love.
If it’s happening, we’ll cater it. From a dinner for two to a festival of thousands, our team gets the job done.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hard work, great customer service, sticking with it each and every day.
Maintaining my goals and setting new ones.
Never giving up.
Our core values: Innovation, service, attentiveness and accountability.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.exquisitebites.com
- Phone: (954) 662-8714
- Email: AnthonyR@Exquisitebites.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exquisitebitescatering/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Exquisite-Bites-Catering-132543210165770/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/exquisite-bites-catering-n-miami-beach-2
Image Credit:
Simon Rodriguez
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