By ROB JONAS
Not everyone likes to cook for the holidays. That’s where Maria’s Cafe and Catering can help.
The cafe on Union Street in Schenectady can create a traditional Thanksgiving meal for a family of 10 that includes all of the traditional fixings such as turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing. They also cater office holiday parties and other special events such as birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, baby showers and bridal showers.
Maria’s Cafe and Catering is owned and operated by Maria D’Angelo, who comes from a family of restauranteurs. She started working in her family’s business when she was a child, and now her family works with her.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with my family,” said D’Angelo.
D’Angelo started her own catering business four years ago and had to rent kitchen space to create her meals. The cafe she opened in 2017 grew out of her need to stop renting.
“It was difficult to find kitchens to rent,” said D’Angelo. “I opened the cafe to have my own kitchen.”
D’Angelo began the cafe as a breakfast and lunch spot, but she soon expanded her hours to include Saturday and Sunday brunches, as well as Friday dinner service.
“Sundays were getting busy, and people started asking if we could start opening for Saturday brunches,” said D’ Angelo. “So I started opening on Saturdays, and we’re getting good crowds.”
In addition to the usual breakfast and lunch fare on the menu, D’Angelo creates brunch specials on the weekends. She said two of the more popular specials have been eggs Benedict and steak and eggs.
D’Angelo seeks out local sources for the food she serves at the cafe. “I do most of the shopping myself … going to the local stores,” she said.
Maria’s Cafe and Catering is located at 412 Union St. in Schenectady. Cafe hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. For more information about the cafe or the catering service, call 518-280-6902 or visit mariascafeandcatering.com.
