I began my journey in the food industry in 2018 with a hot dog cart in San Diego, California. I served customers outside places like Harbor Freight, Home Depot, and local bars, building the business one sale and one relationship at a time.

When 2020 arrived, I shut the business down and spent the next few years working at a prison. In 2022, after becoming a father, I was given another opportunity to return to food vending. I later moved to Yuma, Arizona, determined to continue pursuing the business and build a better future for my family.

For years, I depended mostly on daily street sales. Some days were successful, while others were unpredictable. As I learned more about food costs, pricing, profitability, and what it truly takes to operate a sustainable business, I began focusing on catering.

However, entering the catering industry introduced a new set of challenges. I encountered fake leads, fraudulent profiles, attempted scams, and platforms that often felt impersonal and unreliable. After experiencing these frustrations repeatedly, I decided enough was enough.

That is why I created iNeed Catering Co.

Our mission is to provide customers and catering professionals with a trustworthy, personal, and comfortable booking experience. We guide our customers through the entire process—from the initial request and quote comparisons to selecting the right caterer and preparing for the event. At the same time, we help hardworking caterers, chefs, food vendors, and food-truck owners connect with legitimate opportunities and grow their businesses.

During the difficult seasons, I did not always understand why I was experiencing so many highs and lows. Looking back, I now realize that I needed to go through those moments so I could understand the challenges caterers face and create a better experience for customers searching for dependable service.

Many catering professionals work full-time jobs while using catering to provide additional income for their families. Others have dedicated their entire lives to the industry. Either way, they deserve real opportunities, honest communication, and a company that genuinely wants to see them succeed.

After years of unpredictable sales and difficult experiences in the catering industry, I finally discovered a greater purpose in my journey. I thank God for giving me the idea, the experience, and the opportunity to build something that can serve both customers and catering professionals.

I am incredibly grateful and blessed to lead iNeed Catering Co., and I look forward to helping families, businesses, communities, and catering professionals throughout the United States.

— Joe Alcala, Founder & CEO