Some Of HER Story
From Bartender to Six Figure Chef:
How April Schenk Built (and ReBuilt) a Thriving Culinary Business
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the food industry, leaving Chef April Schenk without a job, she had two choices: give up or get creative. She chose the latter, transforming uncertainty into opportunity by launching a COVID-friendly catering business. Today, her innovative approach has turned her brand, SASS, into a six-figure powerhouse, proving that resilience, reinvention, and a little SASS can change everything.
From Tacos to a Thriving Brand
Before the pandemic, Chef April Schenk was a single mother of two, bartending to make ends meet while cooking up her now-famous tacos on bartending nights. Her bold, flavorful sauces became a hit among loyal customers, who encouraged her to bottle them. Fueled by their support, she pursued FDA approvals and created SASS—an alter ego and brand inspired by her fearless personality behind the bar. Soon, her hot sauces and dry rub were selling at festivals, farmers’ markets, and select stores. Then, COVID-19 changed everything. Overnight, April lost her bartending job, festival gigs, and primary sources of income. But instead of giving up, she pivoted. With customers still craving her flavors, she began selling and delivering Build Your Own Taco Kits and SASS hot sauces door-to-door during lockdown. As restrictions eased, she partnered with Jersey Shore bars to host pop-up taco events for takeout, keeping her business alive. Determined to bring her tacos to the masses, she purchased and restored a 1978 “Mr. Hot Dog” concession trailer, transforming it into the SASS Taco Cart—infused with her signature vintage, SASSy flair.
The real game-changer came when a loyal customer asked, “Do you cater anything fancier than tacos?” With traditional catering still off the table due to social distancing, April pitched an innovative, COVID-friendly catering concept: individually plated small bites served on a visually stunning grazing table. The client didn't need any more convincing-he simply told her to "show up and do your thing". From that one event, SASS Grazing Tables were born. April quickly refined this unorthodox catering style, creating elaborate, Instagram-worthy displays of gourmet bites, allowing guests to indulge without sacrificing safety or experience. Word spread quickly, and SASS became the go-to brand for high-end events, attracting a loyal following and viral social media attention. Since then, April has catered over 500 events and crafted more than 250,000 individual bites, turning SASS into a six-figure brand. Her custom grazing tables and small-bite catering have become the go to choice for high end events, booking out months and even years in advance all while keeping her signature bold, edgy style. She also runs a brick-and-mortar location featuring select Taco Tuesday nights and exclusive ticketed events, including Build Your Own Margarita and Martini Bars alongside her signature grazing tables. Her eclectic space is also available for private event rentals.
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"I went from losing everything overnight to building something bigger than I ever imagined," says Chef April. "SASS isn't just about food-it's about an attitude, about owning the circumstances that life throws at you and about never playing it safe. I refused to let that be the end of my story,' says April.
The Birth of SASS Grazing Tables
Overcoming Setback After Setback
Just as SASS was thriving, tragedy struck again. In November 2023, April’s new home of only two months burned down completely in a devastating house fire. The flames also destroyed her catering van and its entire contents and severely damaged the SASS Taco Concession trailer. “I lost everything—twice,” says April. “But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that setbacks don’t define you. How you rise from them does. I built this brand from the ground up with nothing but hustle, passion, and a whole lot of SASS.” Despite these challenges, she continues to rebuild, using her story to inspire others. Now she is taking her story beyond the kitchen, appearing on podcasts and media platforms to inspire entrepreneurs, single parents, and creatives alike—to take risks, adapt, and turn obstacles into opportunities-no matter what life throws at them.
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To book Chef April Schenk for Your Next Event, Media Inquiries or Interviews,
contact: sass@sasssauce.com or text 609-992-1084
What Clients Are Saying
The SASS Experience Clients rave about April’s ability to transform food into an experience:
“Everything was phenomenal! I love seeing people’s faces when they see your display—it’s like they’ve never seen anything like it. It truly looks like a work of art, and everything was delicious. I always feel a sense of calm when you cater because I know it will be perfect. Thank you again—SASS is in a class all its own!”
“Everything was amazing! I love seeing people’s reactions when they see your display for the first time. The tacos went so fast, and the Beverly Hills bacon was a huge hit—people kept asking for more! This type of party food is the best and so delicious.”
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"SASS catered my daughter's Bachalorette weekend. The evening was absolutely amazing. The ladies are still talking about the food and the table scape. I will defininately be calling SASS again!"
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"SASS recently catered an event for me. The owner, April (and chef) came to the venue and artfully decorated and set up the food which consisted of Delicious, Unique and Creative selections of small bites food. More than enough to feed the crowd. Words do not do justice as how unusual this catering service is so I posted pictures. The food and presentation were the talk of the event. Everyone was so very impressed by SASS, actually they LOVED it!!!!!
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