Traci Calderon, Owner of Succulent Catering
Month of Gratitude, Day 6
Traci Calderon, Owner of Succulent Catering & Events and the Atrium Kitchen at Pike Place Market.
Every 1st Wednesday of the month, Chef Traci opens the doors wide to the Atrium Kitchen in Pike Place Market and invites the community in for a five-course lunch. In November 2018, this includes her family’s favorite potato casserole recipe, along with Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots, glazed ham, salad, apple streusel bread and spritzer! The Nourished Neighborhood Lunch is a monthly tradition in the Market and brings in up to 275 guests every month.
What makes this unlike any other lunch in town, is everyone is welcome and no payment is expected. For those who can afford to give something, a wooden donation box adorned with the word “thankful” is the welcome receptacle for donations to support the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank.
Chef Traci developed the idea for this free community meal as a way to deal with the grief of losing her father. She heard funding for Meals on Wheels was threatened and couldn’t imagine seniors going hungry after working their whole life. “By taking grief and doing something positive with it,” said Traci, “It brought light back into my life.”
Traci’s light shines bright in the Market. Not only does she host the monthly community lunch, but she also invites patrons to enjoy a “pay-it-forward” breakfast, an opportunity to purchase breakfast for yourself and for someone else in need; Today, she’s hosting Election Day Cake and on November 22nd she’ll put on Thanksgiving Breakfast free to the community! As if that weren’t enough to fill her plate, she also runs for-profit cooking classes and a catering business too!
THANK YOU Chef Traci for being a beacon of nourishment and community at #Pike Place Market. If you’re looking for lunch or a great business to support – look no further!!