Hear what our clients are saying ...
Cook with Florence
If you’ve always fantasized about liberating you inner Julia Child, but don’t know where to start, look no further than Florence Melin. She brings her training from Ferrandi - one of Paris’ top culinary schools - to your kitchen, along with hefty measures of warmth, patience, and humor.
Anyone can look up a recipe on the internet, but cooking isn’t always the exact science we expect it to be. Florence will show you what the web cannot, and what to watch for, when your stove, oven, timer, or tv show might fail you.
My inner perfectionist almost stopped me from working with someone of Florence’s caliber, but her good nature quickly put me at ease. She was patient and professional, as we turned out crème brûlée, almond cookies, and the most spectacular bread I have ever eaten. The whole experience has made me reconsider whether to buy these in stores again. It’s pretty exciting when your mantra becomes, “mine is better”.
If you want to impress your family, a date, or just yourself, give Florence a couple of hours of your time, and you will soon feel like a boss in the kitchen.
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Aimee Brosnan December 2020
Corporate lunch
"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful lunch you provided for our sales meeting. All of the food was delicious and very reasonably priced! Every ingredient was so fresh; the flavors, colors and presentation were outstanding. It is obvious you take great care to make sure everything is “just right” and nicely different from other options available. We will definitely use your services again!"
Lynn P. CPA -2017
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I don't know what I would do without Sucre&Sel now that I know them. We coordinate multi-day painting workshops for nationally and internationally recognized artists, and our studio is located in near downtown Raleigh, in an area that's not walking distance to any restaurant, so lunch time was always a challenge for so many out of town students that don't know the area, and even for local students that want to avoid the hassle of driving downtown, find a parking garage and buy lunch places that might take longer time that they might want to take. When I met Florence (Sucre&Sel owner) and tried her delicious and healthy catering meals we were convinced this was the way to go. Sucre&Sel have served lunch for many of our workshops, and everybody is always raving about the high quality of the food, the presentation and how healthy and fresh they are. Starting 2020, Sucre&Sel will provide lunch for all our workshops and we can't wait to try all the wonderful meals (and desserts!) they will bring.
Mónica L. Painting Miles - March 2019
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"Florence's Sucre & Sel has provided several excellent meals for our business meetings. Great tasting yet simple food with excellent presentation. Florence is flexible and easy to work with, so you can make sure your meal is just right for the occasion."
Nancy T. Microsoft​ -2015
Family and friends celebration
I worked with Florence for a private party for a local organization, involving approximately 100 guests. From our first interaction, Florence offered excellent guidance, paid attention to every detail, was reliable, professional and a sheer pleasure to work with. These traits were exceeded only by her culinary talents. Her menu was outstanding, and her focus on the preparation, plating, and service were stellar. When Florence is in your kitchen, you are treated by a master chef. Further, on the evening of the event, Florence could see I was going to become quickly overwhelmed, and she offered to stay to help, along with her assistant - right there on the spot, without any prior warning or earlier discussion. This shows her complete commitment to her customers. Master chef, outstanding event partner, and trustworthy business woman. I cannot overstate how highly I recommend her services and Sucre & Sel
DawnMacLaren - December 2019
We have ordered catering from Sucre & Sel multiple times, and have been delighted with the results every time. Not only is the food itself delicious and original (a true and authentic taste of French cuisine), but Florence has always been timely with delivery, and has always brought her own personality and kindness. We highly recommend anyone looking for a kind of catering that stands out from the rest. Trust us when we say, if you order once, you’ll want to order again!
Pauwel's Family - March 2019
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I asked 'Sucre et Sel" to prepare and deliver a last minute upscale dinner of eight at my house. Everything was delicious. We had ceviche, then roasted chicken served with prunes and herb-seasoned rice, then a marvelous Tarte Tatin with a perfect cardamon and vanilla ice cream. Florence Melin is easy to work with and super professional.
Geraldine Smith​ -September 2019
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Debbie and I have entertained on several occasions where Florence has provided extraordinary dishes. Her attention to detail and service levels are impeccable. Our guests have uniformly noted that Florence's French cuisine is perhaps the most authentic French meal they have eaten in our area. Debbie and I highly recommend Florence for any of your dining events--casual, formal or spur of the moment.
Larry and Debbie Robbins - October 2019
Special events
As French Honorary Consul and Director of the French American Chamber of Commerce of the Carolinas, I have used Florence's catering services many times, each time with immense satisfaction from myself and my guests. The events I used her for were high level receptions with VIPs such as the Ambassador of France, the French Consul General, the NC Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce, etc. Being French and in charge of French organizations I wanted French themed options: each time she developed amazing dishes and appetizers which were a perfect reflection of our needs. Florence is extremely professional and reliable. She is timely and her service skills are impeccable. Her food is delicious, always served in elegant dishes reflective of her impeccable taste. I highly recommend Florence for any of your high level receptions, if you want to impress your guests with exquisite food served by a delightful and efficient caterer.
Marie-Claire Ribeill, Honorary Consul of France - January 2020
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"Florence Melin at Sucre&Sel is an absolute delight to work with for any catering event or business luncheon. The hors d'oeuvres are divine -- each with a wonderful flavor profile and so beautifully presented. The classic French gougeres, macarons, and savory verrines are a must at any social event! Ms. Melin also can create a lovely business luncheon for your next meeting or conference that will be perfect for your guests -- delivered right to your door. Authentic French food made with quality ingredients, served with a style and exceptional service, Sucre&Sel comes with our highest recommendation!"
Pam Meier., French American Chamber of Commerce - 2016
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"Sucre & Sel is the newest delight of RTP. Florence creates simple yet exquisite French cuisine dishes for all your corporate event needs. She provides top quality service that is unmatched by any other catering service I have experienced in the Triangle Area."
Christophe Chassagneux, CEO, ILLIMITÉ EVENT GROUP - October 2018
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"Florence was born and raised in Paris and then spent her young adult life in Provence, where her love of food blossomed. Clearly, her culinary expertise did too. Everything she served at Gigi’s event was perfection! Although hard to choose a favorite, I asked Florence to share her recipe for the Salmon and Green Apple Tartare. I predict this will be one of my summer addictions ... "
DeeDee Dalrymple, Effortless Entertaining - March 2019
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"Sucre et Sel catered for one of The Center for French and Francophone Studies events at Duke University. They had to design a light meal for 40 people, something elegant but that needed to be eaten in 30 minutes before a conference. Quite a challenge ! Florence Melin aced it, providing us Beef Bourguignon burgers and mini tarte tatins among other extraordinary delicatessen."
Stephen Smith, director of the CFFFS, Duke University - November 2019
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Florence provided the food for our company's recent party. We could not have asked for a better outcome! She provided great options for us, worked with us to customize the offerings, showed up early to put it all together, and our guests were delighted with the variety and outstanding quality of the food provided. We got multiple happy comments - one guest even emailed us a week later to thank us for what they called "far above the usual company party!"
Ted Benson, BioTech and Management Consultant - December 2019
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