Making treats fit for a King, or Spot, or Fido
It all started with a pug named Vince. "We would buy him all these fancy schmancy treats that looked like cannolis and things, and he wanted nothing to do with any of them because most of them don't have a lot of flavor," explains Lisa Makrinikolas, owner of My Dog Ate It Catering company. "They look great to the people, but when you put it down for the dog, the dog doesn't care what it looks like."
So Makrinikolas did what many dog-loving people have thought they too should do: She began making her own pet food. And then she decided to turn Vince's treats into a business. This all came after she went through her third round of buyouts and layoffs in corporate marketing. She won't get rich from this, she says. "I want to help people in some way. And if it's making healthier dog food, then that's helping."
Now Vince and other dogs can dine on organic whole wheat cheese puffs filled with Crystal Brook Farm fresh chevre, canapes of liver in a garbanzo flour pastry, or something more casual, such as whole wheat mini-pizzas or the ever-popular spinach dip.
Makrinikolas wasn't new to cooking for her pets. When her cat was diagnosed with diabetes, she developed her own recipes using regular, mostly organic, products. She cooks foods at a lower temperature for a longer time to retain nutrients. And all of the meat, dairy, and egg products in her food is free-range without antibiotics or growth hormones.
The new entrepreneur and Vince, her CEO (chief eating officer), began showcasing their wares at events sponsored by the Precious Pug Rescue League (where Vince and younger brothers Norman and Doug-Doug were adopted), donating their profits to the cause. A customer suggested the farmers' markets. Makrinikolas spent the last two summers at Cold Spring Park in Newton and in Waltham. Sales doubled this season, and online orders are coming in from around the country. She also likes the one-on-one contact with customers, and does a lot of specialized foods for pets with allergies. She wants to stay small enough to maintain quality control. "The consumer is never going to have to worry about a recall."
My Dog Ate It food is more expensive than packaged pet food. "When you open a bag of liver treats and you smell it," says the caterer, "it smells like liver." Smell isn't the only test the treats must pass. In addition to her house (and neighborhood) full of canine tasters, Makrinikolas, a vegetarian, samples all of the meat-free treats while husband Michael tries the rest.
At the farmers' markets, many passer-bys helped themselves to her samples not realizing they were snacking on a delicacy meant for their pets. The donuts became a favorite treat with kids. "My most popular cake is the same batter as the donuts, and people know they can eat that along with their dogs."
Like most caterers, Makrinikolas offers full-scale party packs, including appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Selections change seasonally.
Lisa Makrinikolas is at the Waltham farmers' market (at the Sovereign Bank parking lot at Main and Moody streets) on Saturdays, and in Newton (at Cold Spring Park) on Tuesdays. For more information on My Dog Ate It Catering, call 857-544-2765 or go to mydogcatering.com. 