About Azalea Catering

Gina Sundeen, the proud owner of Azalea Catering Company, hails from South Dallas and graduated from DeSoto High School. Her passion for cooking began in her early 20s, when she spent Saturdays watching Julia Childs and the Frugal Gourmet. Inspired by these shows, Gina began collecting cookbooks and experimenting with new recipes.

As her children entered junior high, she found an outlet for her passion of cooking and entertaining. She started catering for school banquets and events, a venture that quickly blossomed into a successful business serving corporate functions and weddings. After relocating to Tyler, she sold her Dallas-based business and started her new journey.

Despite facing personal challenges, including a breast cancer diagnosis, just two months after getting married, Gina remained determined. Having lost her mother to breast cancer in 1986, Gina prioritized annual mammograms, which helped in early detection and a 15-year survival. Becoming an advocate for breast cancer awareness and early detection, she was led to serve on the East Texas Komen Board of Directors.

With a deep-rooted passion for entertaining and cooking, Azalea Catering Company became Gina’s dream career. Her success is driven by her relentless pursuit of perfection and excellence. Today, Gina and her husband Mark live in Flint, Texas, surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and a fulfilling life – sharing her love of food with community, family and friends!