We were lucky to catch up with Fernando Oberlin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Fernando, appreciate you joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
Growing up, I was incredibly fortunate to have parents who perfectly complemented each other in their shared vision and passion for their work. My dad was the visionary, the brains of the operation, while my mom was the meticulous executioner. Together, they instilled in me the values of hard work, persistence, and a deep love for what one does. This wasn’t something they sat me down to teach me in words; rather, it was demonstrated through their daily actions and sacrifices.
A vivid memory from my childhood that illustrates their dedication to their dream is when my mom had a high-risk pregnancy with me. Despite being bedridden, she was determined to continue working. My dad’s solution exhibited both his love and their shared commitment—he built her a custom cutting board so she could work from bed. This creative compromise showed me how passion can drive innovation and perseverance, even in challenging times.
Growing up in such an environment, I was immersed in their world from an early age. By the age of four, I was a constant presence at their events, absorbing the hustle and bustle of their business. By eleven, under my dad’s guidance, I had already started cooking. These experiences weren’t merely background noise to my childhood; they were the foundations of my life and career.
The passion my parents had for their work was contagious, and it became a part of me. Their silent lessons on dedication and the importance of nurturing a dream became ingrained in who I am. It was more than just a family business; it was a passion they protected and helped grow, and they silently entrusted me with that legacy. Today, every meal I prepare, and every new recipe I create, is a tribute to their enduring influence and the dreams they nurtured. Their visionary and executioner partnership taught me invaluable lessons that continue to guide me in my personal and professional life.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My journey in the culinary world is deeply rooted in my family’s legacy. From a young age, I was immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the family business—a dynamic partnership between my visionary father and my determined mother. They modeled what it means to work with passion, persistence, and love. Watching them, I absorbed lessons that shaped not just my career, but my entire worldview.
I stepped into the culinary industry with a singular drive: to honor the legacy my parents built and to infuse it with my own creativity and vision. Our family business had closed its doors twenty years ago, but the desire to revive it burned brightly within me. It took a significant leap of faith to relaunch the business, something that was both daunting and exhilarating. This rebirth was not just about reopening a restaurant; it was about reigniting a dream that my parents had passed down to me.
Today, I am proud to offer an authentic culinary experience that is enriched by the heritage and values instilled in me. Our menu blends traditional recipes with a modern twist, something that reflects both the essence of what my parents started and the innovative ideas I bring to the table. Each dish is crafted with love and attention to detail, echoing my mother’s precision and my father’s creativity.
We aim to solve the problem of offering not just food, but unforgettable experiences that bring people together and transport them to a place of comfort and nostalgia. Our culinary creations offer a sensory journey, honoring tradition while embracing contemporary flavors.
What sets us apart is our strive to create not just food, but immersive culinary experiences that engage and inspire. From the moment you walk through our doors, to the last bite of your meal, we aim to provide impeccable service and a warm, inviting atmosphere. This dedication to excellence ensures that each visit leaves a lasting impression, making our clients feel valued and satisfied. When you dine with us, you can always expect something extraordinary—a promise we are committed to upholding.
I am most proud of the courage it took to revive my family’s business and the authentic connection we’ve been able to foster with our customers. I want potential clients and fans to know that our work is a labor of love, steeped in resilience and tradition but also looking forward to a bright, innovative future. We offer not just dishes, but a testament to the power of passion and family Legacy.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Funny enough, my catering business began as a side hustle with no initial investment. I needed an additional source of income after I was let go from my job at a catering company I worked for. Over time, people started asking if they could hire me for their events. The business has always had a way of speaking to me, almost like it had its own voice guiding me.
At first, I juggled this with other part-time gigs, taking on small catering jobs during weekends. My first key milestone was to have more consistent events, to really put my name out there. As more opportunities came up, it was like the business was whispering that it was time to take the next step.
Each move didn’t feel forced; it was a natural progression. I was suddenly getting booked for events I hadn’t even imagined doing. Then there came a point where the demand for my catering services surpassed the time I had while doing other part-time work. That was when I decided to go all in—listening to the business’s ‘voice’ guiding me to make it my full-time career.
Since then, every growth spurt has been organic. Whether it was expanding my menu, hiring my first employee, or buying specialized kitchen equipment, I’ve let the business’s needs dictate when the time was right. It’s almost like the business tells me when it’s time to grow, move, and adapt.
Now, we’ve reached a point where I pinch myself sometimes because it’s hard to believe how far I’ve come from those first few events. But I truly believe that listening to the intangibles—the spirit of the business—is what brought us to where we are today.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
What has worked for us is to foster open communication, show appreciation for individual contributions, provide opportunities for growth, and build a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oberlincatering.com
- Instagram: @oberlincatering
