Marquette Senior Serves Home-Cooked Meals to Students
A Marquette University nursing student launched a small meal delivery business to serve fellow students.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Healthy Food
Kate Kelly, a senior in the College of Nursing at Marquette University, has operated a home-cooked meal business since November 2024. Kelly prepares and delivers meals ranging from salads to vodka pasta twice a week to students on campus.
Why it matters
Kelly operates the service as a way to practice life skills and reset from the academic demands of her nursing program. The endeavor also serves as a personal tribute to her late French bulldog, Poppy Roo.
Kelly prepares 20 to 50 meals per cooking night, totaling two sessions per week. She launched the business, known as @thegirlthatcooksmu, in November 2024.
The players
Kate Kelly
She is a nursing student at Marquette University who runs a home-cooked meal service for her peers.
Marquette University
This is a private Jesuit research university located in Milwaukee where the meal business operates.
The details
Kelly plans her menu the night before and posts it on social media at 11 a.m. to accept orders, later shopping for fresh ingredients once the orders are finalized.
Timeline
The business was launched in November 2024.
Kelly's French bulldog Poppy Roo died in May 2026.
Kelly is scheduled to graduate in May 2027.
Culture Shift
This venture highlights the growing trend of student-led micro-entrepreneurship where undergraduates turn hobbies into campus services. It reflects a broader shift toward personalized, home-based alternatives to traditional dining options.
Students at Marquette University can access home-cooked meals by following the business on social media for daily menu updates. The service provides a convenient, personalized dining alternative to standard campus options.
The takeaway
Kelly's business demonstrates how personal passions can be successfully integrated into the busy schedule of a college student. Her model offers a template for others looking to balance academic responsibilities with community-focused creative projects.
Further reading
Find more inspiration for balanced eating and local culinary projects in our Healthy Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Marquette Wire.
