Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Bennett Niscavits
Hi Mandy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Early Life and Inspiration
My story begins in Houston, where I’m a third-generation resident. Growing up in the South Belt area in a traditional family, I was raised by a stay-at-home mom and a working dad, both of whom instilled strong family values and a deep connection to our community. This foundation became the bedrock of who I am today.
From a young age, I found my passion in the kitchen. My mom made dinner almost every night for our family of four, and we always ate together at the table. After she had surgery on her right hand when I was just six, I was called to help prepare meals. The kitchen quickly became my playground, and food became my creative outlet. This early love for culinary arts set the stage for my future career.
Career Beginnings
As I grew older, I took my mom’s advice and pursued my passion for cooking professionally. I enrolled in the culinary program at San Jacinto College, where I excelled, honing my skills in culinary arts and gained valuable knowledge in restaurant management. My education refined my techniques and inspired me to turn my love for food into a full-fledged career.
In May 2004, I took a leap of faith and started d’lish catering as a sole proprietor. By 2008, the business had grown, and I made the decision to incorporate it as d’lish catering inc. One of the pivotal moments in my career came when I catered for CBRE, the management company for the Houston Centers in downtown Houston. They invited me to become their internal caterer at a commercial lease space in “The Shops,” a prime location within five downtown buildings. Recognizing this as a significant opportunity, I immediately accepted.
With the support of my parents—my father acting as the general contractor and both of them as key investors along with a few others—we secured funding to build a 1,600-square-foot commercial kitchen and retail store. This new venture allowed us to offer prepared foods, beer, wine, and convenient packaged-to-go options for busy professionals. We opened our downtown location in 2010, marking a major milestone for the business.
Personal Milestones and Business Adaptations
In 2013, my personal life flourished alongside my business. I reconnected with a former classmate, Joe Niscavits, and within six months, we were married. Joe’s extensive experience in the restaurant industry solidified our plans for future business ventures and further enriched my personal life with love and support.
In 2016, we relocated the business to our family’s cook trailer, a move that seemed temporary but soon showed us how adaptable we needed to be in the face of the challenges ahead.
In April 2017, we purchased two acres in Pearland, TX, zoned general commercial with a residential home, perfect for our future family and business location. Shortly after, we learned we were expecting our daughter, Logan Marie, adding even more joy to our journey.
Overcoming Challenges Hurricane Harvey and Beyond
As our excitement grew and only 4 months into this new adventure, Hurricane Harvey struck, devastating our home and testing our resilience. The flood brought immense challenges, but it also reinforced how deeply rooted our business is in the community and our determination to thrive.
During this time, we lived with my parents while balancing full-time work, caring for our newborn, and rebuilding our home—a process that took nearly three years. We eventually moved back home in April 2020, just in time for the pandemic. COVID-19 had a significant impact on our catering business, but we adapted by offering prepared meals to local families, crafting weekly menus based on available ingredients.
In 2021, more challenges arose when my father was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma Brain Metastasis. That same day, my husband was laid off from his job. What initially felt like a financial setback soon revealed an unexpected blessing: Joe could now care for Logan and work for the business while I took on the role of advocating for my father’s health. Joe’s support has been crucial during this journey, allowing us to maintain the business and care for our family.
Perseverance Through Adversity
In the midst of these trials, I continued to manage the business, my family’s needs, continue planning the construction, and care for my father. After a health scare during one of his hospital stays, he was also diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma—a second primary cancer! I have spent over 70 days and nights at the hospital, learning about his conditions, managing treatments, and taking business calls from his bedside. My mother helps care for Logan, while Joe works to support both our family and business.
Financially, we faced additional hurdles, but grants through Texas Back in Business (Harvey) and the Small Business Administration (Covid) helped us retain employees and rebuild after the pandemic. Two weeks after Joe was laid off, I officially hired him, and we expanded our team along with two part-time employees to aid in our recovery.
A Bright Future Ahead
By October 2022, we celebrated a significant milestone: the completion of McHard Road, which provided frontage for our commercial property. In 2023, we successfully subdivided the residential and commercial properties, obtaining a physical address for our future business location. We also submitted development and construction plans to the City of Pearland for our new facility, which will house a commercial kitchen, a prepared food store for dine in, take out or delivery, a full-service bar with a happy hour menu, a small dining area, guest restrooms and offices.
Imagine arriving home to a freshly prepared meal, delivered just in time for dinner with your family—a vision that is now closer than ever. With civil and building plans approved and an SBA 7a loan application in progress, we are ready to embark on this next exciting phase.
The Journey Continues
Now, in 2024, as we prepare to expand, I’m filled with optimism. Each challenge has fueled our determination to succeed, and with the unwavering support of my family and community, d’lish will continue to grow. Our journey reminds me of the power of food to bring people together, one meal at a time. We love what we do and cannot wait to share it with you!!
Pricing:
- Catering Orders $250 – 300 (serves 10-12)
- Retail Package $6 – $20 (individual)
- Small Retail Package $30 – $60 (serves 4)
- Family Retail Package $80 – $120 (serves 6)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dlish.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlishbiz/
- Twitter: https://x.com/dlishbiz
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/d-lish-catering-pearland-3
