Christine Lee, President and Chef-OwnerFounded by Christine Lee, president and chef-owner, on the principles of scratch cooking and sustainable sourcing, Monarch is on a mission to bring fresh, nutrient-dense meals to students. The company is turning the often-overlooked school lunch hour into an opportunity for joy, nourishment, and community. Lee, who brings a rich culinary background to the table, describes Monarch Catering as more than a catering company—it is a movement.
"By prioritizing fresh, sustainable, and regenerative ingredients, we are delivering meals that meet high nutritional standards and delight young palates," she says.
A Personal Journey. A Profound Mission.
Lee’s journey to founding Monarch Catering was deeply personal. Having worked in high-end restaurants and volume-based food production environments, she was no stranger to the culinary world. However, becoming a mother transformed her perspective on food. Cooking for her toddler at home presented challenges she hadn’t encountered in professional kitchens. When the opportunity arose to cook school lunches seven years ago, she embraced it with enthusiasm. It quickly became a passion project.
Fast forward to today and Monarch Catering is rewriting the narrative of school meals, one plate at a time. Every dish is an effort to reintroduce joy and health into school lunches, countering a trend that has sidelined flavor and nutrition in favor of efficiency.
The company ensures that every ingredient—whether it’s a vegetable, a grain, or a protein—is locally sourced, hormone-free, and cultivated with care for the planet. This commitment extends to the way meals are prepared: scratch cooking that eliminates processing and maximizes nutrients.
Yet, the challenge of appealing to young eaters lies in balancing nutrition with familiarity. Monarch Catering’s menus strike that balance by meeting children where they are while subtly nudging them toward healthier choices. The company’s dedication to innovation shines in its exploration of global cuisines. Dishes like Indian dal or Asian noodle bowls introduce students to diverse flavors while naturally accommodating dietary restrictions such as vegan or gluten-free needs.
By prioritizing fresh, sustainable, and regenerative ingredients, we are delivering meals that meet high nutritional standards and delight young palates.
Building Community through Food
Monarch Catering’s impact goes beyond nutrition; it fosters a sense of community. One of the company’s standout initiatives was a pop-up breakfast event at a local school, where families gathered for a casual, joyful hour before the start of the day. Watching parents converse and children play in a relaxed environment underscored the potential of food to bring people together.
What fuels this is the team’s enthusiasm, evident in their creative menus that range from familiar comfort foods to bold new offerings. For instance, a recent introduction of Shirataki noodles—a plant-based, nutrient-dense option—was met with delight as students slurped their way through a playful and nutritious meal.
Monarch Catering’s future is fueled by a desire to share its approach with more schools and communities. While scaling scratch cooking poses challenges, Lee and her team are determined to find ways to bring their food to more students.
Looking ahead, Monarch Catering aims to extend its reach while staying true to its scratch-made philosophy. As the movement toward healthier, scratch-cooked school meals gains momentum, the company stands as an example of what's possible. Blending culinary excellence with a deep understanding of children's needs proves that school lunches can be both nutritious and a source of joy. With every meal they serve, Monarch Catering is not just feeding students—they inspire a generation to embrace the value of good food.
