Our Chef

Mary Jean ("M.J") Hays
Owner/Cook/Chef

  Mary Jean has lived in Henry County all of her life. Living close by to her is her parents and one of her sisters. Mary Jean has 2 children from a previous marriage, 2 step children and 2 step grandchildren in the current marriage.

  Growing up Mary Jean was always in the way while in the kitchen, under her mother's or grandmother's feet. As a little girl she stayed with her grandparents while her parents worked, in the morning as soon as her Nanny would finish breakfast, Mary Jean would get in the kitchen hoping to play at the stove with the leftover grease in the frying pan that her Nanny had just fried her Grand-daddy's eggs in. If she was lucky to find it and it had not been put in the soapy dish water, she would pretend that she working in a diner and was cooking and serving people coming in and out.

  Nanny and Grand-daddy McDonald lived very close to Mary Jean and her family. The two houses were if maybe 150 yards apart. So if Mary Jean wasn't to be found at her house, she was with her Nanny. Sometimes she would compare what each was having for supper and then decide who she wanted to eat with. Nanny McDonald was a wonderful cook. She would bake coconut cakes at Christmas time and everyone would pile into the small single wide mobile home each Christmas for her Christmas lunch.

  When Mary Jean was a little older, she would visit her other grandmother in Bishop, Georgia. Weeks before leaving for the "other Nanny's" house she would stop eating tomato sandwiches because she knew that they would be eating plenty of them while she was there. It never failed, every summer during her two week visit something was always ready in the garden. So Mary Jean learned about fresh vegetables. She learned at home too with the large garden there, but she wasn't expected to help out as much as when she was at her Nanny's. This Nanny was a wonderful cook as well. She would sometimes cook a large breakfast, a large lunch and then a large supper. People around there knew if they were ever hungry just stop by. If she did not have left over biscuits on a plate covered up with a dish towel on the long table with 2 benches on each side and two straight back wicker bottomed chairs at each end, then she would make you something quick.

  Mary Jean’s mother, Margaret is an excellent cook as well. This is where she gets most of her inspiration for catering. Her mother has ever catered before in her life. Remembering her mother cooking supper every night after working all day at her job is something that drives her to be who she is today; a provider for her family and anyone who needs something. Also remembering back to church dinners everyone would always ask “What did your mama bring to eat”, well now Mary Jean’s children are being asked the same question. Mary Jean’s mother is a very strong spirited woman of God. Without her prayers lifted covering Mary Jean through many of her decisions and troubles of life, she wouldn’t be where she is today.

  Cooking wasn't always Mary Jean's favorite talent; in fact it wasn't a talent at all. There were many weeks that she would cook the same meals over and over again for her family. No desire to cook or learn. However, if it ever did hit her to cook, she was on the phone to her mama. She would ask things like how to make gravy or her famous mac and cheese.

  Through many jobs and having 2 children, Mary Jean took a job in downtown Atlanta. This is where she met Dennis, and ony 6 months after they married; Mary Jean quit her job. Before quitting she had already began to cater a little here and there. The first job she completed was a gift to her sister and new brother-in-law; their wedding reception. On Sunday's Mary Jean and Dennis would alternate with a another couple at church to provide a breakfast for the Pastor and his family in addition to the senior's of the church.

  About 2 months before Mary Jean decided to quit work to be home for her children, she was asked to cater a small lunch at church for the pastor and a guest speaker along with a few others. Mary Jean quickly told them NO. She did however tell them that she would make sure everything was ready and the table was set properly. After Mary Jean saw the food that had been prepared for her Pastor, she was upset. It was greasy and looked awful. She knew she could do better. Besides there wasn't any sweet tea or dessert provided. Going forward she catered every meal like that for the Pastor and his guests.

  Shortly after she began the Sunday lunches, she was asked to cater the Mother's Day banquet. She feed 70 people with no trouble at all. Then other banquets popped up as well as a few conferences. When asked how she provides for so many people, she will tell you that God just takes over. Not only is she preparing food, she is thinking about the ones who she is preparing it for and praying for them to have a blessed life.

  Hospitality is definitely a gift that the Lord has blessed Mary Jean and Dennis with. Not until Mary Jean realized this gift did she desire to cook and learn more cooking skills. She quickly had the determination to refine them and strive for excellence in everything she does.

  Mary Jean's heart is to give her clients the best product and service possible. She holds high standards for herself and her workers. She wants to keep her client's budget in mind while working with them to accomplish a common goal. A beautiful wedding reception, a surprise birthday party with the guest of honor’s favorite foods, a tender and loving baby shower, a great celebration of life that has lasted 90 years, the happy couple that has made it to a milestone of a 50 year anniversary or a missionary who is raising funds to speak to the children of America about who God really is. This is truly the heart of Mary Jean Hays.