We recently connected with Lori Baker and have shared our conversation below.
Lori, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
Becoming a mindfulness meditation teacher and offering that to our wedding catering packages.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I started my career in the travel business quite serendipitously and wound up falling in love with seeing the world, tasting the food and meeting new friends along the way.
When my family asked me to join their barter business I decided to give it a go and it was there that I learned sales and marketing.
From there I was offered an opportunity to work with the city of Scottsdale on a revitalization project which led me to where I am now.
I started Food Truck Caravan on 5th Ave and Goldwater and it became wildly successful. We brought food trucks and entertainment to Scottsdale every Saturday night and it gave me the opportunity to create unique dining experiences. We took our guests to Morocco with textiles and tents and lanterns. It became the backdrop for engagements, bridal showers, anniversary and birthday celebrations, etc.
When people asked if I could create parties at their homes I jumped at the chance and that is how Super Edible Events evolved.
I am passionate about food and culinary story telling. Super Edible Events specializes in creating experiential dining experiences for any type of gathering from weddings to dinner parties to corporate events. Today, science is confirming what I have always known to be true. Food is love and love is food. Food can connect us to our deepest emotions and fondest memories just like listening to a song on the radio or the scent of a fragrance can.
One of the first questions we ask our couples planning their weddings is “what is your favorite kind of food”, “what food makes you happy” and what is your “go-to” restaurant”? It is a great place to start and tends to make couples really think about it and then smile. Food is a big part of the wedding story.
Post Vid, with everyone gathering again and the hospitality industry exploding, we find that people want kindness. People want connection and attention after being isolated for so long. I find that responding to inquiries promptly and giving clients time for telephone chats has been wildly gratifying for both the client and me. Sometimes just listening can make someone happy.
I took time during covid to get certified in Integrative Nutrition and Meditation which sets us apart from the pack. We create delicious food for any dietary need that is a little more unique. Our clients get so excited when they find out that dietary restrictions don’t limit them to a generic menu. As well, we now offer pre ceremony guided meditation add-on options for our clients.
Mindfulness meditation can help couples surrender to the moment. Meditation boosts your awareness and makes the wedding a happy experience for everyone. We can guide a bride and groom only meditation or a meditation for the entire wedding party. A guided meditation can also be tied onto the ceremony to slow things down a bit and to invite everyone to take a deep breath and remember what the day is truly about. It’s such a beautiful way for both the couple and all guests to come into the present moment and enjoy a quiet moment together.
I believe that food is love and love is food and I want to spread that love to everyone!
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I spend time chatting with clients and really getting to know them. There always seems to be a shared interest and when you find it, bam! We become friends.
I always send a handwritten thank-you note after an event and I keep in touch through social media. I find that the personal connection, the listening skills and the “always being there” for clients fosters long lasting loyalty and referrals!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I am on a mission to spread good (mental and physical) health and love to the community. I do this through food and meditation.
Even if clients hire me for other reasons they still get the benefits of health and love without even realizing it. I am certain that is how I have built my business organically.
Science tells us that there are several pillars of health and they all agree that nutrition, connection and stress reduction are at the top of the list. We are wildly excited to be able to offer these things to our clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.superedibleevents.com
- Instagram: @superedibleevent
Image Credits
Amy Anderson Megan Carey Ryan Lindsey