Linda Carmigiano, the youngest of 12 children, grew up on a farm in Chardon, Ohio. Food preparation has truly been a legacy of her family as Linda's parents owned local restaurants in the 1940's and 50's. In the late 1960's, Linda and her husband Sandy Carmigiano decided to make their gourmet passions into a business. They would supplement their income by catering various functions; their first big event was a wedding in 1968 for 250 people. The success of the event led to the start of Normandy Catering and Party Center. Linda and Sandy were able to showcase their passion for gourmet food to hungry customers.

Through the early years, Linda and Sandy catered many events out of their home. Linda's skills at gourmet cooking allowed her to teach classes at two different gourmet shops. Her star rose when she was asked to appear on Good Morning America alongside Fred Griffith doing gourmet cooking demonstrations. All of these accomplishments served to sharpen Linda and Sandy's skills and heighten their passion for food.

In 1978 Linda was offered the opportunity to be the working partner of a new banquet facility just built in Wickliffe, Ohio. After taking a second mortgage and borrowing from Sandy's parents, Linda and Sandy collected enough money to buy into the new facility. Over the next 15 years, Linda and Sandy spent many long hard days and nights making the business a success. One by one they bought out the other four partners. In 1984, Linda and Sandy diversified outside of the banquet facility and use their skills to focus on off-site catering for rehabilitation centers, summer camps, day care centers, and public and private schools. Off-site catering would become a major part of the overall business and assure their place in the Cleveland/Akron catering culture.