Our Story
The Story of M. Albert Catering Limited
Life is a journey of continual growth, learning, and change. I joined M. Halpert Catering Limited in 1999 as a dishwasher, when I was 22 years old, I couldn’t have foreseen the many twists and turns that would bring me to where I am now: A proud business owner spearheading the reinvention and expansion of one of Toronto’s leading childcare catering services.
In my journey, I owe a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Marvin Halpert, the man who founded M. Halpert Catering Limited in 1985. It was with Mr. Marvin’s support that I initially began pursuing a culinary career, studying at Humber College while simultaneously working at M. Halpert Catering. Being a part of this prestigious catering firm allowed me to train one-on-one with a number of Executive Chefs, which gave me invaluable real-world experience as I honed my cooking skills.
Knowing the value of the opportunities given by M. Halpert Catering Limited, I tirelessly pursued my newfound passion for cooking – which resulted in me being promoted to the position of cook in 2003. Another four years of dedication, in 2007, I earned another promotion, this time to the role of Chef. In my new role, I was given the chance to further improve my leadership skills; soon, I actively helped Mr. Marvin run M. Halpert Catering Limited. Mr. Marvin and I shared the same mission – to bring healthy, balanced meals to Toronto’s children – and for years, our teamwork ensured that M. Halpert Catering Limited continued to grow and thrive while bettering the lives of kids throughout the GTA.
Then, in 2010, everything changed when Mr. Marvin announced his decision to retire and sell his business. Thinking my time with M. Halpert Catering had reached an end, I nearly took up a management position elsewhere before Mr. Marvin gave me yet another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: The chance to purchase his catering business. Mr. Marvin’s high regard for my effort over the years has been one aspect as he considered me for the take-over offer. We both wish to see M. Halpert Catering continue with the same values of quality, reliability, and friendly service that Mr. Marvin has emphasized all these years. Trusting in my dedication and work ethic, I was his first choice to take over the operation of M. Halpert Catering. I happily accepted his offer and agreed to continue alongside him for five more years (until his retirement in 2015). During that time, I refined my business acumen, deepened my connection with our customers, and prepared to take over the helm. In 2015, I officially became the owner of M. Halpert Catering while Mr. Marvin stepped away to enjoy his well-earned retirement.
Today, I’m honoured to continue serving Toronto’s daycare centers, interacting with long-term clients our firm has known for over 30 years while also branching out to serve new establishments. I pride myself in knowing that M. Halpert Catering is more than just a business: It’s a community. Every day, I’m blessed to interact with old and new friends in the form of directors, supervisors, and staff at the many daycare centers we serve – Knowing that together, we’re getting kids through challenging times with the aid of nutritious food.
2020 has brought many unexpected changes to us all, and with this in mind, I’ve decided to revamp M. Halpert Catering Limited to meet the needs of today’s clients better – and the children they care for – while remaining true to Mr. Marvin Halpert’s vision of superior quality and service. Starting with a name change to M. Albert Catering Limited, I plan to leverage the latest technology to streamline delivery, minimize client costs, and ensure that kids from all backgrounds have access to food made with fresh, local, organic food and ingredients included whenever possible. I firmly believe that no child should ever be left out of the chance to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals due to their unique dietary needs, cultural heritage, or religious beliefs. To that end, I’ll continue to provide and refine menus that cater to diverse dietary requirements, with multiple allergen-free options available. Regardless of the name change, the whole team of management and the staff at the company stay unchanged as we strive to consistently ensure our top priority in the highest quality and safety standards for all meals served.
I hope you’ll join me on the next chapter of my journey as I weave the timeless values of M. Albert Catering Limited into a bright, dynamic future.
Sincerely,
– Mani (E V M)
Director / Chef De Cuisine