Emily Gonzalez started her business, GEM’s catering, serving authentic comfort foods of her childhood, all prepared in her own kitchen.
Since her start in 2018, Emily has single-handedly grown her business from the bottom up and was able to cater more than 200 events in 2023. With the support of her family, especially her children whose initials help form the GEM’s name, Emily has been able to create beautiful plates of food and provide an impressive array of cuisine options for any event in the Lancaster area.
Emily and her business represent much more than her stunning displays of food; Emily has become an amazing role model for women in the community that have faced similar challenges, showing them that they can succeed just as she has. Emily has hosted Women Empowerment dinners, as well as spoken about her experiences as a female small business owner at local events/podcasts.
It has been my pleasure to work with Emily and to have the honor to share her story with you.
Question 1: Starting with the basics, what is your background and the business’s background? How did you end up where you are now?
“My name is Emily Gonzalez and I am the founder / executive chef of GEMs Catering. I was born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. At the age of 12, we migrated to the United States. I lived in Hempfield for 11 years and attended middle school and high school there. I later attended CTC Culinary Arts there as well. At 18 years old, I had my first born, Gisselle, who is soon to be 17 years old. I worked odd jobs that usually required helping people, for the most part. I got married at 20 and had my second born, Michael, at 24 years old. I was a stay at home mom and worked part time in a retirement home on third shift. In 2017, my partner and I divorced and I found myself for the first time in my life while having to care for a home and finances alone, which was different from being married for so long.
After working for others, I realized that I couldn’t make my own schedule and have the freedom that I wanted to be a mother, as well as raise my children and be PRESENT. I left my job in January 2018 and opened an in-home daycare for 6 months. I realized once again that I still did not have time to care for my children.
After speaking with family, they suggested I cook since it was something I naturally had a passion for and had always loved. In August of 2018, I started making empanadillas on Fridays selling hundreds at a time. From there I began making plates of different hispanic food and selling 50+, to being asked to cater weekly to a salon and parties. It took off from there! I went from working Fridays only to doing 216 Caterings this past year. Working with big organizations such as Lancaster country club, UPMC, LGH, SDOL and more!”
Question 2: Can you talk more about your experience as a woman in business / entrepreneur?
“I feel so blessed to be able to be a woman of color, minority, coming from Puerto Rico without speaking English to being able to inspire other women to achieve their goals and aspirations.
I realized in the time that I have been catering and building my business that most of us women are afraid to take it to the next level and/or feel limited or small and we are not!”
Question 3: What are the most important things you would like the community to know about you or your business?
“In December 2023, I hosted a women’s empowerment dinner for local small business owners to be able to be in a room full of other small business owners, and be aware of all the resources available to them to help them grow their business. It started with 20 women and it grew to 40 in February, we will be hosting our 3rd event on June 30th. We will continue to do this quarterly and have women enjoy a night out, being catered to with a three course meal and wine, where we will also have many resources and allow women to inspire each other on how we can grow as a community.
Another fun fact about me is I love to travel to experience new cultures. While traveling I love tasting local markets / stands where I can enjoy their food and taste their authentic flavors, seasonings and love for their food. That’s how I build my menu. I have been to Thailand, China, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic. Colombia, Trinidad and Italy are next on the list.”
Question 4: Do you have a favorite female owned business (or multiple) you would like to shout out or that you admire?
“Some women I truly admire and look up to are:
Nicole Taylor, Owner of Nicole Taylor Boutique and Blazing J’s, and many other businesses which inspires me.
Heidi Castillo of Mezcla Ice Cream is such a sweet kind soul and we definitely need more of that.
Chelsea Christmas, At Her Core fitness, is inspiring women to love themselves exactly how you are.
Dianette and Laixa at Self Studio Massage Aesthetics and Body Work. I have seen these women struggle and try to be better women and better mothers throughout the years and I respect that so much (as I am doing the same).
Keishia Finnie, shows art so beautifly throughout our community and is such a great person.
And many more of course!”
Question 5: Finally, is there anything else you would like to share with me or the community?
“We will be opening our store front at 601 North Queen Street back up again at the end of January or beginning of February, where we will have salads, wraps, cold subs, juices, and health supplements. Once a week we will be providing a different ethnicity meal to enjoy for take out. Our hours will possibly be starting Wednesday through Thursday from 11AM till 5PM (stay tuned for more details!).”
Emily is not only an amazing businesswoman, she is also an advocate and inspiration for women in the community.
My hope in sharing her story is that I can shine a light on her journey as well as give her the spotlight she deserves.
Please check her out on social media and keep GEM’s in mind for your next event!
Femme Forward - Lancaster, PA 
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