Business
“The Taste of Quality (TTOQ).” Prioritizing the dining experience
BY PAUL JUNOR
As a new entrepreneurial venture, it has moved beyond just herself at the helm to now consisting of a team of ten. Michelle is excited about the growth of her business and is excited about her entrepreneurial journey.
On January 2019 MNR Catering was launched and since then it has increased in size by expanding into different areas beyond catering. By 2020, it had evolved into The Taste of Quality (TTOQ). TTOQ comes from MNR Catering’s slogan “The Taste of Quality.”
The mission of TTOQ is to ensure each dish is memorable from a single dinner to a catering order. “It is our priority that our customers feel as if they are experiencing a phenomenal home-cooked meal.” TTOQ is driven to satisfy the customer at all costs. They are committed to delivering excellent service and quality foods at optimal value for all customers.
The core values that are important to TTOQ involves a foundation built on:
- Good ethics
- Love
- Family values
- Quality food
- Solid governance
- Exceptional execution
CEO Michelle was born on the island of Jamaica and always had a passion for cooking. Cooking came naturally to her, and she has been doing it from the tender age of seven. She decided to take an entrepreneurial leap into the world of sole proprietorship to take her business to the next level. Along the way, she acquired many essential skills that would serve her well in the competitive field of Caribbean cuisine. Currently, TTOQ offers several options such as: single dinners, catering, meal preps, seasonings, and sauces.
Michelle shared with me her journey so far as an entrepreneur. She told me that she switched from legal studies to law clerk at Humber College due to unforeseen circumstances. Her business started before the COVID-19 pandemic, and she had to transition in order to adjust to the changing marketplace.
The single dinner option of her business is expanding, but currently, it is discontinued due to the rapid growth in demand.
Michelle told me that the letters, “MNR” come from the initials of her names, “Michelle Nicole Rochester.” She is currently in the process of rebranding her business and within the next week, there will be an updated website.
MNR Catering does not offer Caribbean cuisine only in the Greater Toronto Area, but also in cities such as Hamilton and Ajax. Michelle told me that on September 24th, 2022, MNR Catering hosted Canada’s 1st Caribbean All You Can Eat Gala. It was an all-inclusive event that offered all you can eat appetizers, dinners, desserts, and cocktails all night. Michelle has great plans for 2023 as she seeks to expand the business and increase her customer base.
Over the years, TTOQ has served: the Government of Ontario, Walmart, Scotiabank, Forever 21, City of Toronto, Toronto District School Board, Western Union, RBC, Ford, PartyCity, and Rogers
Anyone interested in learning about MNR Catering can check the social media sites:
Website:www.tasteofquality.com
Instagram:@mnrcatering
Facebook:mnrcatering1