Inspiring Conversations with Marc Chodera 1999435 of Global Table

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Chodera 1999435

Hi Marc Chodera, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Global Table is the story of our shared passion for authentic global cuisine, custom events, and curated collectibles for home and table. My career was in financial derivatives, but cuisine has always been top of mind! Over the years, I’ve trained as a stagiaire at Charlie Trotter’s, collected 500+ cookbooks, and explored culinary traditions from street food in Bangkok to Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Hong Kong.

Now, our focus is sharing that passion and experience through intimate, bespoke events for groups of 8-20 held June – September at Global Table in Sawyer, Michigan. Located 90 miles (and a world away) from Chicago, Sawyer is one of a string of lakeside communities known locally as Harbor Country. The area is full of vineyards, boutiques and a creative, supportive network of small businesses.

Global Table is also a great resource for one-of-a-kind home and table accents. My Global Table partner (and wife) sources beautiful, affordable, often one-of-a-kind items — baskets and trays, vessels and bowls, tabletop accents and art — that reflect our love of vintage/mid-century, nature-inspired and handcrafted pieces.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We are fortunate in that we haven’t (yet) faced many challenges or obstacles. Southwest Michigan is friendly to small businesses, and we have been able to share our offerings via the network of small businesses in the area.
One obstacle is always time! There are inevitably a few envisioned enhancements to our Global Table spaces – one more bed of landscaping … more Michigan wildflowers and grasses along the 600-foot drive … one last pop-up dinner … that we don’t complete before the weather turns. But continuous works in progress are labors of love that give us much to look forward to every Spring.

One challenge is navigating how best to expand our future offerings. Over the next 12-18 months, we’ll be renovating a “barnage” (half barn / half garage) on the property into another Global Table space with a cooking demonstration area and multiple spots, indoors and outside with garden views, for guests to dine and converse. We’re also exploring cooking classes as well as the development and marketing of Global Table spice / curry rubs. We look forward to asking guests what they’d most like to see as extensions of the Global Table experience!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Since 2015, Global Table has delivered authentic global cuisine and sourced distinctive collectibles for the table and home.

Chef Marc came to the culinary field following a 30-year career in financial derivatives. On weekends, he served as a stagiaire at Charlie Trotter’s and later, living in New York and during travels to Paris, Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong, gained first hand experience touring local streets and restaurants.

An accomplished oenologist, Chef Marc selects the perfect complement for every course from the world of American, Spanish and Australian wines as well as Japanese sakes and French sauternes.

As Global Table Design Manager, Sarah sources collectibles by individual artisans — vessels, bowls, baskets & trays, tabletop objets and art — that are often vintage, usually one-of-a-kind, frequently nature-inspired, and always remarkable.

The result is culinary experience grounded in authenticity and distinction.

How do you think about happiness?
With every event, there is one perfect moment when we know we’ve succeeded. Sometimes it’s when background music is drowned out by conversation and laughter around the table. Other times it is a moment of wonder when a dramatically plated course emerges from the kitchen. It can even occur at the end of an evening, with thanks such as “This was the best meal I have ever had.”

At Global Table, those moments represent happiness because we get to see the forming of long-lasting memories and watch as guests are transported from their day-to-day to an extraordinary few hours. We invite you to reach out to explore a custom event as you enjoy a getaway weekend, celebrate an anniversary or vow renewal or mark a milestone birthday!

Pricing:

• Events: Bespoke
• Collectibles: $20 and up

Contact Info:

• Website: https://global-table.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globaltableandhome?igsh=MWw1MGd3eDBub2l4Yw==