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| Carroll’s catering is as much about presentation as it is about always-spot-on taste. |
Mindy Carroll, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! Hum, Carroll, that’s a famous Kentucky name, isn’t it?
Yes, I come from a long line of Democrats. My uncle is Julian Carroll — he’s my dad’s brother. And of course he was governor from 1974-1979. He’s a state senator now. My dad, Neel Carroll, was heavily involved in all his campaigns. My mom, Linda, also always helped on the campaigns.
Did you get to hang out at the governor’s mansion?
We visited a few times when I was a kid. I was fascinated by the chandeliers and all the security guards! Julian is so funny. He called the other day and said in a very serious voice, “This is Julian Carroll. Can I speak to your father?”
You mean he just doesn’t call up and say, “This is Uncle Jules?”
No, no, he has a very distinctive preacher-sounding voice. He has always been a very passionate speaker. We see him about twice a year.
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| She knows how to breathe new life into the standard veggie tray. |
I worked my way through college in restaurant kitchens. After college, I got married and lived in Virginia Beach. My ex-husband was in the Marines. The only job I could get was working for a company that catered to celebrities. My claim to fame is that I helped cater an event on the USS George Washington for President and Barbara Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
We also did events for Miss USA and Miss America. And once a month, a music promoter, Michael Marquart, would do high-end events for new bands. He used to be the drummer for A Flock of Seagulls. We did clam bakes, a Nathan’s hot dog stand, a make-your-own sundaes party. It was really fun. That was back in 1992, and I’ve been catering ever since.
Did he still have that Flock of Seagulls hair?
No, but I did ask him about him about. He just laughed.
What brought you back to Paducah?
I am from Paducah and raising my daughter here was important. I started doing pharmaceutical sales in 2000 and catering on the side. With the pharmaceutical industry so volatile now, I’m doing temp work, studying to go to physician assistant school and focusing primarily on my catering business, Sassy Sophisticate Gourmet Catering.
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| White chocolate mousse in a martini glass — the next best thing to gin! |
I like change and to evolve, so every few years, I change the name. A few parties ago, I was wearing an apron that said, “You’ll eat it and you’ll like it.” And someone said, “You’re so sassy!” And I thought, That’s it! Sassy Sophisticate! Since my business is mostly word of mouth, it’s not too difficult to change the name!
I hear that you never serve the same thing twice.
That’s only when I have parties back-to-back. When that occurs, I’m always interested in the guest list, because if the same people are coming to both parties, I try not to repeat my menu.
I always ask my clients what they want me to cook. Sometimes they’ll have something specific in mind; other times they want me to come up with the ideas. I can come up with 1,000 different things!
You like to do very unusual dishes, don’t you?
I try to offer clients things they wouldn’t typically expect. Unless you travel much and go to parties outside Paducah, you don’t always get to experience fun foods. I did sushi before it became popular. I’ve done shrimp cocktail in little martini glasses, which looks pretty. I’m doing things served in oriental spoons. And I love to do smoked salmon — the full spread of capers, the eggs, onions….
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| Carroll’s famous Pigs in a Blanket are so upscale they should be called Pork in Pashmina. |
My current holiday favorite request is my Pigs in a Blanket.
Oh my gosh! Those rocked the Trey Grayson fundraiser last week!
I used to say no to doing Pigs in a Blanket, but I’ve discovered an upscale way to do them. I put Smoked Gouda and Bleu Cheese on the inside and sprinkle fresh Parmesan on top. I put it on a silver platter with a side dish of Spicy Brown Mustard, and everyone loves it. I just need a better name than Pigs in a Blanket.
How about Pork in Pashmina?
I love it!
Mindy Carroll, you’ve catered hundreds of parties. What’s the secret to a successful event?
The presentation of the food is important. Food can taste good, but if it doesn’t look good, then you fall short. If it looks good, then people will automatically expect it to taste good. So you have to be a good cook and know how to do a beautiful presentation. And you need to have a fun crowd.
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| Chess bars are hot for the holidays. |
I agree completely, fun drinks, fun food and a fun crowd, and the party is complete!
And you’re very philanthropic!
Yes, I’ll often do in-kind donations or donate my time. I hate to see groups spend their fundraising dollars on catering. If I can donate my time and skills and I can benefit someone else, then I do that.
You’ve got the Kiwanis Charity Christmas Auction coming up.
Yes, it’s Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Rolling Hills Country Club. The proceeds go to St. Nicholas Clinic, Paducah Day Nursery and some other children’s charities. We’ll have great food — probably smoked salmon.
How did you get involved in the Kiwanis Club?
I’ve catered this event for the past four years, and a while back, Jim Cash, one of the members, invited me to a meeting. I visualized men wearing funny fez hats and he said, no, it’s not like that at all! I went and just really enjoyed the meeting. We have men and women members of a variety of ages. The meetings are always fun.
Our Kiwanis Club fundraisers benefit St. Nicholas Clinic and the Kiwanis Scholarship Program. I like that St. Nicholas offers medical care to working people and families who don’t have medical insurance. Plus, with BBQ on the River and our pancake breakfast during Quilt Week, a lot of our projects involve cooking. So it’s just a good fit for me.
Wow, catering, school, Kiwanis — when do you find time to date?Well, in Paducah, I like to say that the dating pool is a wading pool. There aren’t that many available people here between 35-40s. If I moved to a bigger city, I could probably be married tomorrow.
I think the best marrying men are right here in Paducah!
Well, I really love it here. So I hope you’re right!
So what are you dressing up as for Halloween?
I’m a huge Saturday Night Live fan. My favorite era is the Chris Farley, David Spade, Phil Hartman era. I always dress up as Mary Katherine Gallagher. My nickname is Superstar. One year, my daughter and I both dressed up like Mary Katherine Gallagher.
Well, Mindy Carroll, you certainly deserve the spotlight this holiday season! I hope to score invites to all your catering gigs! You’re definitely my catering Superstar!
