Today we’d like to introduce you to Lin Obid.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I arrived in the United States from Syria in 2012, thinking it was going to be a temporary stay when the war started. Suddenly, violence escalated, and our only solution was to immigrate. Although I hold a degree in biological sciences, I didn’t expect that my life would change so quickly and that I wouldn’t be able to use my degree abroad.
While navigating a new life in the United States, my friends and I organized a fundraiser in Baltimore to support humanitarian efforts for children in Syria. I ran a table for baked goods, which was a huge success. I resonated with the impact of food on bringing people together for a cause and how important it is to have an authentic representation of Syrian food and culture. The savory pastries that were passed down from my grandmother and mother were helping people across borders back in my home country, reminding friends of our shared home, and introducing people to home-cooked Middle Eastern food. That’s when I decided to start my catering business.
With the help of my church, I was able to start my business from their industrial kitchen and introduce my business to the community. From there, my business expanded, allowing me to move to Bmore Kitchen. Today, I have a dedicated team that allows me to serve the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was not an easy journey, especially as someone who has never been in the food industry, neither in Syria nor abroad. No one from my community was familiar with this kind of business, so my husband and I had to learn the ins and outs of food service, certifications, accounting, and all the details of owning a business in the United States.
Other big challenges were staffing and the sourcing of ingredients. Since our food requires a lot of time, attention to detail, and specific ingredients that aren’t very easy to find in the area, it was a long process of trial and error before I found my footing. I had the opportunity to connect with other local Syrian and Arab women in the area who were seeking jobs upon arrival in the United States.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Minis & More?
Minis & More Catering brings an authentic Middle Eastern culinary experience to your occasions. From our personalized approach to our attention to detail, we are with you at each step of the catering process. What sets us apart is our menu of dishes typically made in Middle Eastern homes that are not often found in restaurant kitchens or catering events.
As the founder, my traditional recipes and technical skills bring the ultimate experience to your events. With a passion for food and an appreciation for high quality, Minis and More guarantees a unique and unforgettable catering experience.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I find success in my ability to give, especially after I started my business by sharing my food and culture at fundraisers, helping people in my home country. Cooking and catering helped me find my footing in a new country and stay in touch with my culture. Success is having the resources to support my family and my team, who have dedicated so much of their time and effort to bring our vision to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://minisandmorecatering.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minisandmorecatering/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minisandmorecatering
