One of the most important values I brought with me from my time at Visa is something we live by every day at Platesfull: Customer Obsession.

Whether I’m hiring a new chef or forming a partnership, I always look for that one trait that sets great professionals apart—an instinct to go above and beyond for the client. When a chef goes the extra mile, clients don’t just notice—they remember. That kind of care earns trust, builds loyalty, and often turns clients into long-term advocates.

At Platesfull, we review feedback after every event. Positive feedback inspires the team and fuels our passion. Negative feedback is just as important—it gives us the opportunity to improve and keep raising our standards.

One recent event in Austin brought this value to life in the most powerful way.

It was a weekend marked by flash floods and severe weather across the city. One of our chefs was scheduled to cater a private dinner at an Airbnb, and we checked in with him frequently to make sure everything was safe and on track.

A few weeks later, the client reached out with this message:

“I’m way overdue on responding to this text. My apologies, as we had a lot of unforeseen events going on that weekend with the storms in Austin. Your chef was wonderful and did an amazing job! Thank you so much for improvising with bringing on a new chef last minute. The chef also improvised with where the dinner would be hosted, as our home that we were supposed to host at had to be evacuated that weekend during the storms. He accommodated and still made the night a great one. Again, thank you for your services.”

The chef didn’t just show up—he adapted, problem-solved, and ensured the evening was memorable, despite the challenges. He never even mentioned the disruptions or last-minute changes to us. To him, it was simply part of doing the job right.

Finding chefs like this isn’t easy—but it’s exactly why we do what we do. At Platesfull, customer obsession isn’t just a value—it’s our standard. We’re committed to creating unforgettable experiences, no matter the circumstances, with chefs who treat your event like it’s their own.