About Us
Michael’s Manna LLC is a multi-faceted foodservice company based in Pittsburgh, PA. We offer catering and private chef services, chef consulting, opening chef services, and provide products through our MaestroChef’s Products™ label.
Our Story
Chef Michael L. Pattillo is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Institute of the Culinary Arts, formerly in downtown Pittsburgh. His culinary background has taken him from a fry cook at Wendy’s, all the way to a line cook at the prestigious Lautrec, Nemacolin’s premiere 5-star, 5-diamond, 3-Michelin star restaurant. He’s had a very diverse culinary career from working at privately owned restaurants in Pittsburgh’s Regent Square business district, to year-round outdoor camps in Butler, PA.
Chef Mike loves all things food, and has a real love for the process of making things great over and over again. As a result of this methodical approach in the kitchen, MaestroChef’s Products was born. While working at St. Barnabas Communities in Gibsonia, PA, Chef Mike developed a BBQ program, as well as many other programs that are still in effect today. During the birth of that program, there was a spice made to season the meats that were to be smoked for an upcoming quarterly menu change. Chef Mike wanted to take it deeper and hit all five flavor sensations with the one seasoning, as he’d never seen this approach before in one seasoning, and thus his signature Grill Dust was born.
Along the way Chef Mike had the ability to take his culinary gloves off and cook just how he likes with the best of ingredients, and create the beautiful marriage of flavor profiles. After one of his special “private” dinners, he was left with black garlic. He knew it couldn’t go to waste, and there wasn’t a new menu coming out for a bit, so he decided to preserve it. About a week later was born the black garlic salt.
Years ago, during his training at Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Mike tasted what was described as seasoned flour. After being massively underwhelmed, he set out on a journey to create a balanced-flavor breading solution that can be used for frying chicken, battering fish, or even refining gravies. After about 7 years, the formula for SoulFry™ was finished.
Chef Mike prides himself in having maintained great business relationships along the course of his career, and is now very fortunate to have a great network of procurement specialists on the food and equipment side. He believes in advancing the vision of entrepreneurs by leveraging the contacts he’s made for the betterment of the food scene in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, and one day worldwide. Thus, under the name of Michael’s Table PGH, Chef Mike loves to help other culinary professionals, as a chef consultant and/or opening chef, make connections that make their life, and the flow of service in their kitchens easier, putting into action the ubiquitous kitchen saying, “work smarter, not harder.”
One thing that Chef Mike noticed, even as a little boy, is how when attending catered events, especially at corporate-type places, that the food was always lack-luster. Chef Mike has made it a point to focus on flavor profiles whether it be for intimate private chef events, or even at larger catering events.
His philosophy is people eat for one of two reasons: sustenance, or for the experience. You are welcome to come and sit at Chef Michael’s Table and “experience deliciousness.”
Our Cuisine
Our cuisine takes a classic approach and adds a flare of soul. Because we only eat to sustain us, or to create a lasting memory, Chef Mike leans heavily on the latter.
With the approach of building flavor profiles versus just seasoning food, we have to start with the best ingredients and build from there. Sometimes you nail a recipe, thus you have to write it down to capture the essence. Although a lot of cooking is by feel, and we lean on experience and taste to guide us, sometimes we just create a winning dish. A lot of classics from Michael’s Manna, Chef Michael has perfected in his own right, and can’t wait to share his creations with you.
From the basis of classical French training, Chef Mike approaches every dish with the love and care it deserves to provide the excellence you expect. Every bite deserves a smile!
Meet The Team
Chef Mike is the owner and operator of Michael’s Manna LLC. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and three sons.
Michael Pattillo
Executive Chef and Owner
What We Do
Michael’s Manna LLC is a multi-faceted company in the foodservice industry. We offer Private Chef Services, Catering Services, Chef Consulting Services, Opening Chef Services, as well MaestroChef’s Products.
Testimonials
“Chef Mike is the most professional chef I have ever connected with. He does everything so gracefully and knows how to draw attention with his amazing food in any room he is in. Highly recommend for your catering and personal chef needs!”
I utilized Chef Mikes services for a private bday dinner. Prior to the event I was able to chat with the chef and really flush out what I wanted while being educated on various foods and menu options. When the day arrived, he was on time, professional, and passionate about the service and the food that he prepared! I really enjoyed the service and the built in educational component that was provided with each course.
I have also had the pleasure of using Michael’s Manna seasoning (Shallot salt, black garlic salt, and the preseasoned flour) all are AMAZING!!!
I highly recommend Michael’s Manna for private dinners, catering opportunities, and any other culinary decisions or moves that need to be made!
Most amazing dinner I’ve ever had!!!!
…love love LOVE [spices] them!! That same night we made veggies and chicken thighs. Only seasoned half the batch of chicken with the seasoning to test it out and basically fought over those pieces!!! So so good! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
That Shallot Salt is one of my favs.
We chose Michael to do the catering for our daughters first birthday and couldn’t have made a better choice. The food was hot, nothing was too dry, and it was all perfectly seasoned with Michael’s own custom seasonings. We will be repeat customers, I recommend others to find out about this hidden gem amongst the catering and spice world.
I thoroughly enjoyed the food and catering services of Michael’s Manna. The food was superb and he was very personal. His services were very professional and timely. I will be using Michael’s Manna again and again!!!
Let’s Work Together!
We at Michael’s Table PGH understand your need for deliciousness. Whether it be for a birthday party, graduation celebration, wedding, corporate luncheon, or your private chef event, you can trust us to take special care of the details of your event and handle it with care. We look forward to working with you on your next event!