Welcome to Occasions By M Personal Chef & Catering
Transforming everyday dining into extraordinary culinary experiences.
Led by Chef Michael McCray, traveling chef, published author, and private chef , Occasions By M is committed to delivering unforgettable, customized dining experiences. Michael brings versatility and expertise across diverse cuisines, offering elite private dining, corporate retreats, and specialized meal plans for athletes and memory care patients along with restaurant consulting focusing on hands-on training and SOP implementation.
About Chef Michael McCray & The Occasions By M Team
Chef Michael McCray—affectionately known as Chef Mike—is trekking to become a nationally recognized private chef, published author of The 10 Chef Commandments, as well as a professional member of the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) tap to view profile.
He has catered to high-profile private clients across the nation, delivering luxury dining experiences in vibrant culinary hubs, including:
📍 Arizona
📍 The Carolinas
📍 Connecticut
📍 District of Columbia
📍 Florida
📍 Kentucky
📍 Michigan
📍 New York
📍 Virginia
Currently based in Raleigh, NC, Chef Mike and his team specialize in:
✔ Private dining for high-profile clients and professional athletes
✔ Customized nutrition plans for performance-driven individuals ( through pursuit of certification)
✔ Exclusive culinary services for luxury apartment residents
✔ Retreat and corporate event catering with curated, multi-day menus
Exciting News!
We are proud to announce that Chef Mike is expanding his expertise into the world of professional sports, focusing on becoming a Private Chef for elite athletes. Currently, he is pursuing a Nutrition Certification to enhance his ability to craft high-performance, nutritionally optimized meal plans that support athletic endurance, muscle recovery, and dietary discipline.
In addition, as of lately we have been serving the senior community, specializing in memory care and dementia-focused nutrition, ensuring strict dietary adherence and providing meals tailored for health and well-being.
We also continue to serve as the exclusive Private Chef for the Uncaged Men’s Accountability Group, providing retreat-style catering for quarterly events, featuring:
✔ Welcome Dinner
✔ Breakfast & Lunch
✔ Elegant Formal Dinner
✔ Closing Brunch
This experience has reinforced our expertise in delivering multi-day, high-quality, and health-conscious meals for groups with specific dietary preferences and restrictions.
Exclusive Services for Your Community & Private Events
🔹 In-Home Elegant Events – Host an intimate private dining experience featuring gourmet, chef-prepared meals.
🔹 Retreats & Mastermind Events – Enhance your wellness retreats, leadership summits, and mastermind gatherings with nutrition-focused, custom meals.
🔹 Luxury Apartment Culinary Classes – Learn from Chef Mike in hands-on culinary workshops, including:
✔ Sourdough Mastery – Learn to bake the perfect sourdough loaf.
✔ Kids’ Favorite Fruit Leather – A fun, healthy snack-making class for families.
✔ One-Pot Wonder Meals – Discover effortless, gourmet meals with minimal cleanup.
Why Choose Occasions By M?
✔ Nutrition-Focused Private Chef Expertise – Perfectly balanced meals designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery.
✔ Hyperlocal Ingredients – Fresh, seasonal, and sourced from trusted farms & markets.
✔ Personalized Menus – Every meal is customized to dietary needs, restrictions, and client preferences.
✔ Proven Reputation – Trusted by clients in Orlando, Phoenix, NYC, Tampa Bay, Virginia Beach, and beyond.
Our Mission
At Occasions By M, we don’t just serve food—we create culinary experiences that enrich lives. Whether through elite private dining, nutrition-conscious meal planning, or unforgettable event catering, our mission is to elevate the way our clients eat, one meal at a time.
✨ Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to serving you!
Chef Michael McCray
Founder, Occasions By M Personal Chef & Catering
What Clients Are Saying ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"10/10 experience. Chef McCray was very knowledgeable on his cuisine, very friendly, and willing to explain each dish. He made each dish memorable, and the presentation was on point!" – Angelina Q.
"Mike handles business. He doesn’t just cater—he spices his recipes to fit the event theme! Highly recommend!" – Alan D.
"Occasions By M Catering was phenomenal! We loved how they introduced each dish by explaining the inspiration behind it. The flavors were next-level!" – Donald D.
"The passion and professionalism that Chef Mike & his crew bring to the table never disappoints. He's our go-to for every event!" – Mike M.
"We’ve been using Occasions by M for our quarterly retreats, and it’s nothing short of an experience. The food is consistently outstanding!" – Zack W.
