Michael Ponder Jr.

Michael Ponder Jr., known to most simply as “Ponder,” has built a catering business that moves easily between backyard dinners and large-scale community events, with the same approach at every level: do it right, do it from scratch, and make it feel personal.

“I’m just a kid from Miami,” he says. “And I love the life I’ve created here.”

That mindset shows up in the food. Ponder’s menus lean into traditional flavors done the right way, the way he learned in his youth, with no shortcuts and no substitutions for quality. Whether he’s cooking for a private dinner or feeding a crowd at a civic event, the expectation stays the same.

Behind the scenes, the operation runs as a partnership. His wife, Samantha Bentley-Ponder, manages billing, logistics, and the business side, keeping everything moving while he focuses on execution.

“She’s the boss,” he says. “I’m the cook.”

Together, they’ve built a business that continues to grow through word of mouth, handling everything from intimate gatherings to weddings, corporate functions, and full-service events. With a catering liquor license and a trusted network of partners, Ponder can take on as much or as little as a client needs.

His signature banana pudding has become something of a local legend. Rich, dense and creamy, it’s layered with butter cookies and, at times, red velvet cake, the kind of dessert that doesn’t last long once it hits the table. 

It’s even earned recognition as Best Dessert at Taste of Lake 2022, but around here, the real proof is in the demand. He brings it to events, and before long, it’s gone, followed by a steady stream of calls and requests from people trying to get more.

Maybe one day it will land on shelves, but for now, the only way to get it is to go right to the source.