Women Wednesdays Series | Amy Tung
Photo by LACE Photo Media
Our Women Wednesdays series features a woman in business, non-profit, or volunteer position. These women hale from diverse backgrounds and industries, but all have one thing in common, they are shining, helping others, and following their dreams! The goal of this Women Wednesdays series is to encourage, honor, and promote these women and the notable work they are doing!
Our December 2019 feature is Amy Tung, Owner and Chef at Valley Home Dining.
Amy Tung is a boutique caterer and chef cooking up delectable dishes with freshly sourced ingredients from the Hudson Valley region of New York. We had the pleasure of meeting Amy and eating her culinary creations, while designing her company’s logo - whose design was derived from a family heirloom plate! Through her company, Valley Home Dining, Amy caters and delights the palettes of all her clients and guests through a range of events. From retreats to weddings, bachelorette parties to full course meals for families, and more, she’ll create an entirely customized menu for your specific tastes and dietary needs. Whether it’s a soiree, feast, gala, wedding, fundraiser, or simply a cozy gathering of friends and loved ones, let Amy and her team provide personal chef and catering services for your parties of 1 to 100!
Photo by LACE Photo Media
Tell us about what you do, who you serve, and your favorite part of it all.
I am chef and owner of Valley Home Dining (VHD). We have catered for various groups celebrating marriages, engagements, anniversaries, communions and many more. VHD has also cooked for businesses and galas within the Hudson Valley. Our favorite part is watching our guests savor the food we prepare that we have sourced from local farms and purveyors.
“Our favorite part is watching our guests savor the food we prepare that we have sourced from local farms and purveyors.”
What started you on your business journey?
Having worked in 15 years of various office jobs, the last one in finance for 10 years in NYC, I was ready to become my own boss. My love for food stemmed from my mother's Hakka-Taiwanese cooking and family travels. I went to night cooking school at the Institute of Culinary Education while still working my full-time office job. After having my son, we decided to return to my hometown of New Paltz to raise him here. It was the perfect time to transition to start my culinary career. I studied under Agnes Devereux of then The Village Tea Room (now Agnes Devereux Catering).
“Family gatherings growing up and enjoying food around celebrations was really the beginning for me...”
What brought you back to the Hudson Valley?
After we had our son, it was the perfect opportunity for a career change and to spend more time with him. I grew up around here - I went to Duzine middle and high school - Lenape was just being built when I was in high school! Moving back here was one of the best things I ever did. I appreciate the town and the people even more after having lived away from here for nearly two decades. Growing up, my mom was a librarian at New Paltz for 43 years. Working with local people and businesses in the community is the most special thing to me. When I came back - not having a ton of experience, I applied to multiple places and was able to work for Agnes - she has an amazing training kitchen and it was so cool to have a woman boss. At first I thought I only wanted to do personal chef services and through my training with her realized I loved catering. You get that tingling feeling when something ignites your passion and you pursue it!
“You get that tingling feeling when something ignites your passion and you pursue it!”
Photos by LACE Photo Media
How long have you been in business and what have you learned along the way?
Valley Home Dining has been in business for 6 years. It was a soft start. I think not until I fully committed myself, 2 years ago, did the business start to flourish. Since I customize the menu for each event, I learned to listen to my clients' preferences and tailor the experience to their tastes and expectations.
What are your current business and branding goals?
We don't advertise menus on our sites because we like to give each client a personalized experience. Everyone has different flavor profiles and dietary preferences. We enjoy customizing the menu to fit their needs. Valley Home Dining will be focusing more on celebratory catering, especially weddings and bridal celebrations. We consider ourselves a boutique caterer with our sweet spot for average number of guests to be at 100 or less.
“Since I customize the menu for each event, I learned to listen to my clients’ preferences and tailor the experience to their tastes and expectations.”
What is your ultimate business goal?
We'd like to continue to provide good food sourced from our local farmers and purveyors at local venues to create a memorable feasting experience.
What has been your biggest business hurdle and what did you learn/how did you grow from it?
I think because we are a boutique catering firm, we are less known as the larger caterers in the area. With each event we do, the word spreads and we are able to network within our community. Because we work mostly on a smaller scale, our quality and service can sometimes surpass the big guys.
Photo by LACE Photo Media
What has been a fun surprise for you in your business?
One of our number one requested services is for bachelorette party dinners with 6-20 guests! It’s so much fun to be part of a gathering like that and to make it a festive, delicious experience - we have a lot of bed and breakfast or Airbnb parties that want local intimate dinners prepared for them by a local chef that knows the area - and that’s me!
What would be your biggest tip/takeaway/piece of advice to anyone starting their own business?
Organization and perseverance. If things do not reap the rewards that you first set out to do, it IS okay. Pick yourself up and go at it again!
Valley Home Dining offers freelance chef + boutique catering services in the Hudson Valley!
Looking for a caterer for your next event that will customize the menu with locally sourced Hudson Valley ingredients?
Valley Home Dining is currently booking for 2020 and beyond!
Find and book with Amy Tung and Valley Home Dining here:
Website: www.valleyhomedining.com
Instagram: @valleyhomedining
Facebook: @valleyhomedining
Photo by LACE Photo Media
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