Sweet and Savory Owners
Shawn and Melissa Mudd
Shawn and Melissa Mudd started Sweet and Savory in 2003 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The couple grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and wanted to bring the city’s innovative and trendy food scene to Indiana. Shawn and Melissa both attended the University of Louisville. Shawn studied marketing while Melissa decided to pursue culinary school at JCC Louisville.
“I fell in love with how they worked every guest visit around a culinary experience- and their attention to detail; I realized that creating events and creating relationships with clients was exactly what I wanted to do with my career. I always had the idea that I wanted to have my own business,” says Melissa.
When the couple first came to Indianapolis, they wanted to make a big entrance and not only launched an offsite catering and event planning business but also started a small café where they could get to know the people of Indianapolis.
“Our philosophy was always simple- give our customers a product from our own recipes and creations- absolutely from scratch, at a reasonable price,” explains Shawn.
Both the café and the catering business took off and quickly began earning loyal regulars. For more than a decade, the couple ran, grew and expanded both businesses. While the Mudds admit balancing both businesses with a growing family was challenging, they say it not only helped them flex their creative muscles but also helped them learn more about the unique needs and tastes of the Indiana communities.
After 12 years of running both businesses, the couple decided that they wanted to focus soley on their catering services—expanding and offering new options to clients. By shifting this focus, they were able to expand services to include a wide variety of events including weddings, private parties, corporate events and even private dining services.
“We really don’t limit our services. We’re here to help serve clients with whatever their needs may be,” says Melissa. “Our work is really an art and we’re able to take that art and deliver it to our customers at a quality and price they demand.”
Today, the company operates out of a new, renovated location off 96th street and feature a gourmet catering kitchen and beautiful consultation and tasting room.
“We absolutely love our new location. After 13 years, we know exactly what makes us the most efficient in the kitchen,” says Melissa. “We have a beautiful tasting room that feels very personal and very rustic. I love it.”
