Our Story
How The Collective Menu began
Our story began in October of 2020, as our world was in a global pandemic, I experienced a difficult loss of employment. As hard as that was, I began to see God's hand in it. God began to give me a five year business plan and the name "The Collective Menu". This was the hope I needed, He has orchestrated my steps as I surrendered my life to obeying his will and taking a leap of faith. Through many tears and hard work, my dream of having a Catering Business and teaching kids cooking classes, began to emerge, bringing to life my passion for nurturing the home and hub of the house, "The kitchen".
My heart and passions are for cooking and helping others enjoy it. This is why I began designing and creating collectible recipe cards. I enjoy helping others figure out what to eat and plan a great menu, essentially taking the work out of it for them. I want to make the cooking experience more enjoyable and easier for you and your family. Our recipe cards are designed to become an heirloom for you to pass down to your family. They become a collection of your favorites along with memories of enjoyable meals together. In this day and age, the family as a whole seems to be fading out to some degree, especially sitting around the table and enjoying a healthy and tasty home cooked meal together, something I really enjoyed when my seven kids were still at home. A lot of memories were made and there are favorite recipes that my kids have, that now as adults they requested to be made into a recipe card.
So, we have a large, ever-growing library of cards to choose from and for you to enjoy cooking. As time went on more of the dream began to unfold with the vision of The Collective Menu Retreat center, where we will be hosting team building, bonding cooking events for adults, families and Corporate. We also want to offer a venue option for small weddings, family reunions and game nights. At these events I will be teaching them how to cook the meal and then we will serve them as they enjoy a sit-down meal, eating the fruits of their labor, something they can be proud of and pass on to their families. Food is a gift from God to nourish our bodies and to enjoy, why not know how to make it the most delicious experience you can. Through this journey God gave me a scripture I felt lead to put on every recipe card, as an inspiration and a promise of hope, Isaiah 58:11 “Where God Guides, He Provides." That has been my truth throughout my life and still today as I'm on this new adventure with God and all of you.
When we take a leap of faith and trust God to carry us through, even when we can't see how we'll be able to manage it or what the outcome might be, He will never let you down! When God says it, it shall be done in his perfect timing. The Collective Menu name has several meanings. First, it’s a collection of heritage and passed down recipes from past generations of grandparents, family, myself, my kids and friends. Second, they are collectible and packaged in a clear plastic sleeve for the protection of each card. Third, the word Collective refers to the collective effort of all who have worked to make this business a reality alongside God who made this ALL possible.
I want to thank my friends and family for helping me make this a reality and being an extended hand of the Lord in the logistics of it all. I couldn’t have done it without the Collective efforts of God and each of you. I pray you enjoy the years of passed down recipes. May they be a blessing to you with health, happiness and joy as you make memories with your loved ones.
Owner & Founder
Gypsy Steel