Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael & Daniel.
Hi Michael & Daniel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Daniel and Michael’s story began in 2020, when a Hinge match brought them together while their paths briefly crossed. At the time, Michael was working as a sleep technologist and Daniel was a chef. About a year later, Daniel was gifted a trip to Hawaii through his work and brought Michael with him—a trip that would change both of their lives.
In November 2021, Michael survived a nearly 60-foot fall that left him with a spinal cord injury. Daniel stayed by his side through months in the hospital and rehabilitation. During that time, Daniel brought Michael seedlings to grow in his hospital window. It was something small, but it gave Michael the chance to care for something again—and gave both of them hope for what could come next.
When they returned to their five-acre home in Castroville, those seedlings grew into accessible garden beds, then a farm, and eventually MacDonald Farm. Michael found healing and purpose in growing food, while Daniel used his experience as a chef to turn what he grew into meals for their community. Together, they created a farm-to-table catering company centered around love, family, hospitality, and making people feel genuinely cared for.
In June 2026, Daniel and Michael married on the same farm they had built together, surrounded by their family and on the land that had become such an important part of their healing.
At its heart, MacDonald Farm will always be their love story—a life they rebuilt and continue growing together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Just over a year into Daniel and Michael’s relationship, Michael’s accident changed nearly every part of their lives. They spent months in the hospital and rehabilitation, learning how to navigate a spinal cord injury and facing a future that looked very different from the one they had imagined.
The challenges did not end when they returned home. They had to make their five-acre property more accessible, create garden spaces Michael could work in, and discover what their new life together could look like. Daniel balanced being Michael’s partner and caregiver with his work as a chef, while Michael focused on his recovery and rebuilding his independence. Starting a farm and catering company while they were still rebuilding their own lives required patience, creativity, and a lot of learning along the way.
They do not try to romanticize what happened, but they are proud of what they chose to build afterward. Their relationship was tested early in ways most couples never expect, and it taught them that love is often less about grand gestures and more about continuing to show up for one another every day. MacDonald Farm grew from that love and from their decision to keep planting, creating, and moving forward together.
As you know, we’re big fans of MacDonald Farm. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MacDonald Farm is a farm-to-table catering company serving weddings, private celebrations, and special events throughout the Central Coast. Michael grows many of the vegetables, herbs, and flowers used in their food, while Daniel uses his experience as a chef to create seasonal menus inspired by what is growing and available locally.
They are known for food that feels beautiful and special while still having the warmth and comfort of a home-cooked meal. Their offerings include grazing tables, creative appetizers, seasonal entrées and sides, fresh sourdough bread, garden-inspired wedding cakes, and specialty desserts. They offer buffet, family-style, and plated service, with menus customized around each client, celebration, and season.
What sets MacDonald Farm apart is how personal the experience is. Daniel and Michael are involved throughout the process and want every event to feel like it truly belongs to the people being celebrated. Their own experiences have also shaped the way they approach accessibility, inclusion, and hospitality. They understand how important it is for every guest to feel considered, welcomed, and cared for.
They are most proud that MacDonald Farm has never been separate from their story. It began with seedlings growing in Michael’s hospital window during one of the hardest chapters of their lives. Those seedlings eventually became accessible garden beds, a farm, and a business that now helps other families celebrate some of their happiest moments.
MacDonald Farm is about more than serving food. It is about creating meaningful experiences around the table, highlighting locally grown ingredients, and showing what can grow when people choose to keep building a life together. When someone hires MacDonald Farm, they are choosing a business Daniel and Michael have built with their own hands, their shared talents, and a genuine love of caring for others.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Daniel is always drawn to cookbooks that make familiar ingredients feel new and exciting.
Michael’s greatest resource is often the garden itself. He learns through experimenting, observing the seasons, and discovering what grows best. Much of their inspiration also comes from each other: Michael’s harvest often inspires Daniel’s next dish, while Daniel’s ideas give Michael something new to plant.
More than any particular app or podcast, they are inspired by resources and people who encourage creativity, accessibility, and thoughtful hospitality. Travel, family, and seeing how others bring people together also help them continue learning and growing—both in their business and in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://macdonaldfarm2table.com
- Instagram: Macfarm_chef
