Mac & Melt, a takeaway and catering service specialising in macaroni and cheese dishes with a Caribbean twist, is drawing customers to Soraya Brown's doorstep in Sale, Trafford. The mum-of-two registered her side hustle as a proper business just a year ago, and it is already proving a hit.
Word is spreading quickly. Soraya, 41, says she is already selling as many as 50 to 80 plates a weekend. To manage demand, customers message her on Instagram and book a collection spot. After a recent review, people have Googled the address and simply turned up.
Customers knocking on the door
"They were knocking on like 'have you got any food left?'" Soraya said. "There were two guys who turned up in a van... very random. You could tell they weren't from around here. They said they'd seen a review on TikTok and were outside asking people where it was."
The menu features The Classic, a traditional three cheese mac and cheese with her secret sauce, alongside varieties such as the Mexican Wave with spicy cajun chicken, the Pepperoni with herbs, onions, peppers and chilli oil, The Veggie, The Truffle Lover with truffle and mushrooms, and the Power Prawn with king prawns.
Macaroni Pies and sides
Macaroni Pies are available with curry goat, jerk chicken or peppered steak. Sides include steak or curry goat gravy, salad, roasted sweet potato, steamed veg, rice and peas, plantain, mango salsa and coleslaw. Smaller kids options of the pepperoni, classic and veg dishes are also offered.
Soraya, who has a decade's experience as a social worker, came up with the idea for Mac & Melt about two years ago. "I had a thought, like 'how can I make more money, with something that I fully enjoy, that's away from my usual day-to-day stuff,'" she said. "One of the requests that I get when I go anywhere is if I can bring mac and cheese. So I thought 'what can I do with mac and cheese that'll make it a bit different?'"
Balancing business and day job
Mac and cheese, curry goat and peppered steaks are Caribbean staples Soraya loves. Merging those flavours has gained her a big following quickly, and she hopes that unique selling point will stand her in good stead. She still operates alone, balancing food prep for Friday and Saturday with looking after her two sons and her day job.
"For me, I think the world is evolving. You are meant to pivot," she added. "Can you say at the end of your life you've experience life to the fullest or just stayed the same the whole time? This could probably take me to places I've never been before. I get a lot of catering enquires and that allows me the flexibility. I'm thinking I can work three days a week; meet new people; do the markets; talk to traders. I'm a very social person, hence the social work. I feel like there's a lot more the world has to offer."
Mac and Melt is open Friday and Saturday from 3pm to 8pm.
