Experience Occasions By M
Experience Relaxation
Every moment you gather—whether for celebration, reconnection, or retreat—deserves cuisine that feels intentional, refined, and crafted with purpose. Experience Occasions By M was created to deliver far more than a meal. We curate immersive dining experiences that honor your story, saves you time, mitigate the stress of planning, and redefine what chef-led hospitality can be.
Our Mission: To share our love and energy for food by impacting our community through education, applied science, and story-telling. We Leave each intimate space better than we found it.
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Chef Michael McCray:
Executive Chef & CEO
My story in the kitchen began long before I understood what “culinary arts” meant.
I was six years old — a latchkey kid of the 90s — learning how to take care of myself in the quiet moments before my mother returned from work. Cooking wasn’t a hobby. It was necessity. And yet, it became the greatest gift of my life.
I grew up surrounded not just by family, but by a community that raised me.
We had the kind of neighbors who watched you out their windows, who told your mother exactly what you did outside, who made sure you had what you needed even when you didn’t know how to ask. They were the first people to encourage me — the first to taste my “experiments.” Even when my dishes were far from perfect, they accepted them with genuine smiles. That encouragement would become the flame that kept me going.
My first love was baking.
And it started the day my mother accidentally burned a tray of cookies. Something inside me clicked. I told myself, “I can fix this.” From then on, I baked as if it were my responsibility — as if the neighborhood depended on it. My mother and grandmother taught me the basics, and I spent hours practicing the simplest dishes, slowly realizing that food could bring joy, comfort, and connection.
PBS became my first culinary school.
I spent my childhood watching Justin Wilson — the old Cajun chef — pour a glass of wine at the end of each segment and cook with a rustic, soulful confidence that I had never seen before. And then came Greatest Chefs of the World and New World Cuisine, which showed me possibilities far beyond my neighborhood kitchen.
Outside the home, entrepreneurship found me early.
I sold candy at school. I cut grass. I delivered pizzas. And then there was Mr. Dewayne — a Harley-riding white guy with jet-black hair who treated me like I was capable of anything. He once handed me the key to his apartment and said, “Watch my cat while I ride. Five bucks every time.”
Those keys felt like the first business license I ever held.
It was the beginning of a lifetime of service.
Meet the Team
Our Culinary Experts
Lindsey
Executive Assistant & Skilled Mixologist
Lindsey Yancey brings a rare blend of precision, warmth, and artistry to the Occasions By M experience. As Executive Assistant and Skilled Mixologist, she ensures every detail—from guest communication to cocktail execution—is handled with grace, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Her refined palate, intuitive hospitality, and creative approach to beverage design elevate each event, offering guests thoughtfully crafted cocktails that complement Chef Michael’s culinary vision. Lindsey’s ability to anticipate needs, manage logistics, and create a seamless flow behind the scenes makes her an essential part of what transforms every occasion into a polished, unforgettable experience.
Chef Duke
As one of our traveling personal chefs, Chef Duke brings unmatched execution and logistical mastery to every retreat. His focus, discipline, and precision ensure that our culinary experiences are delivered with smooth flow, elevated service, and unwavering attention to detail.
Chef Cory
Chef Cory is the chef who always shows up right on time — personable, reliable, and effortlessly skilled. His warm presence and attentive execution make him a guest favorite and an essential part of our traveling culinary team.