Mark Segovia
“ The biggest turning point in my life was to leave the old Mark behind and ... be who I am ..”
Owner & Chef - Segovia ’ s Catering , Coordinator - Carry the Vision , Coordinator - Recovery Cafe , Volunteer - Pit Stop Outreach . mark . segovia @ yahoo . com
Even as a boy , Mark Segovia , owner of Segovia ’ s Catering in Gilroy , always wanted to be a chef . As the son of migrant farm workers , he was accustomed to fresh food and loved watching his family ’ s matriarchs cook simple but tasty foods . “ The most delicious meals we had were in some of our poorest times ,” he said .
Mark worked in restaurants as a teen , but he also started getting into trouble . He moved to Texas at 18 to make some life changes . He married young , had a daughter , and worked hard to provide for his family . Still longing to cook , Mark was able to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Austin when his company funded his training , and he began his cooking career after graduating .
Missing his family and community , Mark returned to Gilroy in 2013 . He opened restaurants , participated in cooking competitions , including the Garlic Festival , and cooked and catered for Apple and Google .
By 2018 , Mark said he “ took a step of faith ” and opened his own business , a catering company specializing in farm-totable cuisine . Through COVID-19 challenges , Mark kept his business afloat with takeout meals , contracts to feed the homeless , and an online cooking show called “ Quarantine
Cooking ,” with local business owner Toni Bowles .
Mark desires to be a “ beacon of light for anyone struggling in life .” He has taught inmates cooking classes and life skills as a coordinator for the nonprofit , Carry the Vision , and as the social entrepreneurship coordinator for the nonprofit Recovery Cafe . Mark is planning to help South County Youth Task Force with a diversion program , helping low-offense kids before they get stuck in the prison system .
Mark also provides meals for the hungry through groups like PitStop Outreach . Mark ’ s goals for 2022 are to offer culinary therapy classes for those in need of some direction and to establish a place with Recovery Cafe where those struggling can get all their needs met .
Mark loves family time and finding new food venues . He is also writing a memoir that includes recipes with his stories . Mark ’ s family is his motivation for volunteering . His vision for the community is a place full of empathy , fellowship , respect , and teamwork to better our town . Mark said , “ I ’ m learning like everyone . Everyone ’ s in a struggle . Give them a second to talk . Give them a smile . Little , simple things can give people hope .”
gmhtoday . com gmhTODAY Magazine WINTER 2022 19