Inspiring Conversations with Maddie Dunhoff of Taeko-San Takeout

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Dunhoff.

Hi Maddie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started creating the concept for Taeko-San Takeout about a year ago. I was in a place in my life where I needed to make more income so I found myself working random jobs here and there eventually helping my Mom at farmer’s markets sell mushrooms for Fox Fungi. Being immersed in the community at these markets and surrounded by so many passionate makers I had this need to find my way into that community of self-run badasses.

So I decided to take a trip back home to San Diego for some food research and connecting with my roots/culture. It was 4 days of nothing but food from dawn to dusk. I ended the trip with my grandmother, wanting to document her family recipes that had such a foundation for my love and understanding of food and flavors. My grandmother was my first introduction to food so creating Taeko-San with the thought of her and her recipes was a must.

Taeko-San Takeout is named after my grandmother Taeko and everything I make is done using her recipes and mixing them with wild new flavor combinations to bring you Japanese food like never before. Along the way, the Denver Community has accepted us with open arms and brought my grandmother’s story and recipes to so many people’s lives.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, it has been pretty smooth but every small business has its struggles along the way. Luckily working with my mom at Fox Fungi has helped me navigate a lot of those road bumps. The biggest struggle I have faced along the way is honestly just trying to keep up with the demand of orders and growing the business as a one-woman show. From Instagram to cooking/recipe development, graphic work, to working markets it’s all me but that has also made it the most rewarding process.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Taeko-San Takeout is my way of pulling up a seat for you at my grandmother’s dinner table. Bringing honor to those Japanese classics but with a fresh new take. I specialize in Handmade Vegan Mochi and Onigiri. Every month I release a new menu combining flavors and textures, unlike anything you’ve had before.

You can find Taeko-San Takeout mostly at Markets or Pop-ups all across the Denver Area. I also offer Caterings with custom menu options. As I grow the business this next year my goal is to expand our ordering options and offerings for people so keep your eyes peeled for big changes as I grow this dream of mine.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is to feed people good food from my culture. To bring people together through experiencing the Japanese food I grew up with. I want to preserve my roots and culture by sharing it with my community through what we all love- Food.

Pricing:

• $4 a piece for any Mochi or Onigiri

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taeko_san_takeout/ 

Image Credits
Janelle Stone (https://www.instagram.com/nuttinelli/)