Business Feature
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![Dynamic duo: Emma Maddy and Mardi Noonan, are the owners of Blackall-based Marmaladies Catering which has achieved great success since opening in 2012. Dynamic duo: Emma Maddy and Mardi Noonan, are the owners of Blackall-based Marmaladies Catering which has achieved great success since opening in 2012.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/5SkCeiSuxMpUaGXwYhDSWL/d6879bf7-66f0-4af2-93cf-c9372ba25b72.PNG/r182_70_750_1332_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A decision by three Blackall ladies to fill a void and cater for the 2012 Queensland State Sheep Show is what led to the formation of the in-demand Marmaladies Catering business.
Business co-owner Mardi Noonan said the idea sprung from the local kindergarten who usually did the show catering offering up their long-held position as operators of the show canteen.
Upon hearing of this Mardi got together with her friends Emma Maddy and Jo Davison and suggested that they look after the food.
“We felt that after years of coordinating the show canteen for the kindy as volunteers that we’d give the job a go ourselves,” Mardi said.
“From there we got more and more job offers. And then we were born. We quickly realised there was a need for a caterer in the Central West,” she said.
Mardi thinks the appeal of the business lies in their ability to provide quality homemade tucker sourced using local ingredients for events in the region.
“Around 95 per cent of our business purchases are made locally through our fantastic support team, particularly the local Blackall IGA, Barcoo Butchery and Schluter’s Bakery.”
She said the advantage of having a catering business in a rural town is that people who use the business are constantly referring you to others, but she said it also creates a challenge.
“We can’t have a set menu for every event, as being a small town the same people attend many of the events we cater for, though this does push us to be creative with the cuisine we provide.”
Mardi said they thought the sheep show would be a one-off, but they’re now fully committed to the business which has gone from strength-to-strength in the last five years.
Due to work commitments Jo left the business in 2015, so Mardi and Emma have continued running the business with the help of her husband Hinzy and their two boys Flynn and Riley.
“We started providing simple meals for small events, and now our main staple is weddings where we’re creating three course dinners often for over 100 guests.
“We pride ourselves on providing a holistic service that makes for a stress-free day for the bride and groom.”
Mardi said her love for small town living was brought in to focus a fortnight ago when they had a serious car rollover travelling back from Tambo.
“Everyone escaped without serious injury, but Hinzy has a gardening business, and all his gear including a $20,000 ride-on mower were written off.
“Since the accident he’s been offered nine cars, four ride-on’s and a trailer for use in the business until the insurance money comes through.
“You don’t get that sort of support in many places and that’s why I like living in the bush, people genuinely care for the welfare of others.”
If you’d like to book Marmaladies Catering please contact them on their Facebook page.