Calvin Coleman, Jr.

      Headshot by: Riley & Riley Photography                                Here with Richard Chenoweth, 2005-2006 Restaurateur of the Year!

Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association 2005-2006 & 2007-2008 Caterer of the Year!

Biography

A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, owner Calvin Coleman, Jr. has been the second-generation owner of the Gulfport-based Naomi’s Catering since 1994.  In 2002 he opened the popular Markham Café and took over management of The Crystal Ballroom in the historic Markham Building in downtown Gulfport.  This successful venue remained a popular event site until it's demise in Hurricane Katrina.

 Mr. Coleman’s client list boasts the most discriminating and celebrated citizens of the Gulf Coast for both corporate and social events.  During Presidential visits to the Gulf Coast, he has been repeatedly chosen to serve our famous visitors as well as the White House Advance Teams and the White House Press Corps.

 Mr. Coleman holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of West Florida after having studied at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Mobile College.  His food and beverage career began in 1981 at  Scenic Hills Country Club in Pensacola, FL and includes time with Hilton Hotels as well as a few independently owned,  upscale restaurants in St. Louis, MO and Chicago IL.  His special events and catering skills were further honed while employed with J.R. Management of Chicago. As part of his duties he served in event planning capacities with both the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the Chicago Bears football team where he catered to well-known sports figures and other celebrities.  From 1990-1993 Mr. Coleman  worked in the special events department at Mike Ditka’s Restaurant and City Lights Nightclub, as well as the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.  Returning home in 1994 he took over the reigns of Naomi’s Catering from his mother, Naomi Coleman, continuing the tradition of quality and service that she began. He considers the toughest part of his job to be living up to her reputation.

Mr. Coleman is a member of the International Catering Association, the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Biloxi Bay Chamber. He serves on the Board as well as the Illegal Catering Task Force and the Special Events Committee for the Mississippi State Hospitality & Restaurant Association in Jackson. 

Since 2003 he has been a  member of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the MHRA. In that capacity he has served as chairperson for Chefs of the Coast and is currently the First Vice President of that Board, soon to be incoming President,  and is active in fund-raising for several local charities.  

In April, 2005 and 2006 Naomi's Catering received a distinguished Tapestry Award, presented by the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.

In August, 2005 Mr. Coleman was chosen as the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association's 2005-2006 Caterer of the Year.