Behind an inconspicuous brick facade in downtown Oakland is the home of one of the best catering companies in the Bay Area. While the office space seems cramped, the adjacent spic-and -span kitchen is spacious enough for the growing full-time kitchen staff. In the eyes of an insurance inspector, "It was one of the cleanest, safest, and most organized kitchens we have seen." To me, it was high-tech and so welcoming that I was tempted to take off my jacket and exchange it for one of the friendly kitchen staff's white, spotless coats.

Next to a shelf overflowing with cookbooks, the table was set. I listened to Barbara's story while one delicious appetizer followed another. She began with her childhood on Cape Cod. Her mother, an ardent cook and entrepreneur, used the produce and meats of her husband's farm to start a small catering business. It soon grew to a sizable resort catering establishment, offering delectable take-out food and picnics on the beach. As she was growing up, Barbara loved helping her mother prepare the freshly picked herbs and vegetables.

After majoring in art history, the first job offer she accepted was at a restaurant, which marked the beginning of an exceptional career in the food and service industry. Her positions included waitress, pastry and kitchen chef, room service manager, and banquet manager. In 1990 Barbara founded her own catering company, renting space in a catering kitchen. She still works in the same kitchen, only now she owns the entire building. Furthermore, she just bought another building across the street to house the offices and the ever-growing rental business.

"So why haven't I heard about your fabulous company before?" I asked her while sampling the pastry chef's incredible desserts. "Well, I never advertised and my business kept growing," she laughed, shrugging her shoulders. This attitude changed quite a bit when her son Taylor came on board. He wanted to let everybody know what celebrities and CEOs already knew -- how delicious and healthful his mother's food was. My friend's boss returned from Jerry Brown's wedding, raving about Barbara's fabulous food. Now her name keeps popping up in articles in East Bay Business Times, the Special Events Magazine, and in Diablo Magazine , where she was the "Reader's Pick" for best caterer and event planner in 2006.

If you ask what makes Barbara special, it's her smiles, energy, and "can do" attitude. Her outstanding food reflects her life: the healthful beginning at her parents' farm combined with the sophistication of the Bay Area.