From Scratch Catering & Event Planning officially began in 2016, but our roots go back much further.
Founder Jeff Jacobs grew up surrounded by hospitality. His grandparents, “Frisky” and Lenore Frost, catered events throughout Mid-Michigan for decades and owned the beloved Whippy Dip in Merrill, MI. His mother, Jackie Jacobs of Jackie Jacobs Catering, carried that legacy forward and has been a staple in the area for more than 40 years.
After college, Jeff worked alongside Jackie for several years before venturing out on his own. Over the next 13 years, he owned and operated several venues and a successful catering business in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
From Scratch Catering & Event Planning was created to bring an elevated level of culinary service to events across Michigan. After years of working within traditional catering models, Jeff saw an opportunity to raise the bar. He built the business for several years before convincing Hayley Chartier to join the team. In 2018, things really took off.
With Jeff’s culinary experience and Hayley’s robust hospitality background, the team launched The Treasury Ballroom in Pontiac. By the end of 2021, From Scratch Catering & Event Planning had established full-service catering hubs in both Oakland and Saginaw Counties, launched two popular event venues, and partnered with several others.
In 2020, Executive Chef Matt Labadie joined the team and helped take the culinary program to new heights. Together with Head Chef Kyle Roe and their teams, he has helped build menus, systems, and standards that make even the most complex events feel effortless. Our culinary team works to create meals that feel fresh, thoughtful, and beautifully prepared—as if everything were cooked right on-site.
A beautifully presented, high-quality meal, curated with our clients and planners, remains our non-negotiable standard.
But From Scratch Catering is about more than great food. It has grown into a team of people who are aligned around one goal: producing amazing events for our clients. Our banquet and catering managers—Natalie Vanbuskirk, Jenna Hubbell, Kristina Rigge, and Kristin Mitchell—help create seamless, memorable experiences for guests and clients alike. Every event is planned and managed by a caring, organized professional.
Operations Director Josh Chartier supports our work across the state and helps keep everything running smoothly. In 2023, Jeff also convinced his wife, Amanda, to join the company and help manage the business.
As we approach our 10-year anniversary, we decided it was time to rebrand and launch this brand-new website. We believe it represents From Scratch Catering & Event Planning perfectly. As we reach the halfway point of 2026, we are proud to partner with more than 25 incredible venues and operate two venues of our own. Our team is now more than 75 people strong, and we continue to grow to meet demand. In the last few years, we have also launched an artisan creamery, a fleet of mobile espresso carts, and patisserie catering.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has had a hand in making From Scratch Catering & Event Planning what it is today. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many talented, dedicated people. I am excited for the next 10 years of incredible events and happy clients.”
—Jeff Jacobs