About Connie

Her passion for cooking comes from family. Her aunt Rene had a small cafe in Decatur in the late 70s. She loved watching her cook on the grill. Coming from a very large family, massive holiday dinners- especially Thanksgiving meals with all the fixings make up her most cherished childhood memories.

This inspired her love for fellowship and home cooking. Most of her recipes have been passed down through generations of great family cooks. She hopes to provide new healthy options with prep meals that retain that same home made fresh feel but with high protein and low carbs.

  • Kitchen manager - Terrace of Priceville

  • Cook - Sierra Springs in Hartselle, AL

  • Kitchen hostess - 5 years at Hartselle First United Methodist Church

  • Kitchen coordinator and caterer - 6 years at Decatur First United Methodist

  • Kitchen manager - Court Street Grill in Moulton, AL

  • Chef and owner - 2013-2015 - Brechtel's Restaurant in Falkville, AL

  • Chef and owner - 2004 to present - Events by Brechtel catering company

  • Chef and owner - 2019- present - Prepmeals2go

 Background

She obtained a Commercial Food Service degree from Wallace State while simultaneously running her own store, parenting her children, and helping her husband launch his business. She interned with All Steak in Cullman in 2004, and the sorely missed City Cafe in 2005, but this was only the beginning. Her resume is impressive...

“My husband has cooked and put in just as many hours as I have into these businesses. He is my soul mate and sous chef.”

— Connie Brechtel

History

Her business experience started with a Party Express she owned, they rented wedding supplies, cake pans and costumes. They sold all manner of event necessities such as balloons, plates, favors and decor. They offered party planning, catering, and baked goods.

Her catering business as well as the 'Prepmeals2go' ventures have all been family operated from the beginning. All three of her children assist with almost every event. Her oldest son's fiance has also joined right in and helped with many events since joining her family. Her husband and three adult children also share her talent for cooking. Her large extended family has also assisted with many events over the years in some way, from prepping, cooking, and delivering the meals.

She had her businesses for many years and tried many things with them, but decided helping people with the most important days of their lives took too much of a toll on her mind and body. Semi-retiring from catering, the inspiration for starting the prep meals portion of her catering business came from having a desk job in Madison circa 2019. Working 9-5 made it difficult to prepare meals for her family, even with a newly empty nest. She and her daughter made freezer meals for their personal use, since she had stepped into a new chapter of life that required nightly home cooking. She thought of all the other working families that could use this same help. She spent hours on Sundays preparing for the week's meals.

After this crossed her mind, she contacted her catering regulars, opened a Facebook group, and the rest was history. Opening the Market2Go followed shortly after, based in Hartselle Alabama near her home and family.

Connie’s Favorite Meals

"My favorite meal to prepare is hand pattied cheeseburgers. I could cook and eat it every single day. I have two picky children, so it is something we all can enjoy and doesn’t take too much time or effort to leave out some ingredients for the picky eaters.

A few favorites of my customers are Poulet Normandy, Spinach Salad, and the ever famous Chicken Salad. I love, and I think so many others love, my version of chicken salad because it is perfect alone or can be a starter for your preferred version. My daughter adds bacon and cheese to hers. Many of my customers add grapes, pecans, raisins, etc. to make my chicken salad their own. A simple recipe has turned in to a staple for many of my customers households. I am so grateful for those customers that have stood by my since Party Express and the new ones we have gained through Prepmeals2go. We are excited to keep growing and helping families enjoy old favorites and new healthier options. It is truly a pleasure to be able to feed those who need it. "