@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to the TwitterReview of local NE Minneapolis caterer @ChowGirls, with Heidi doing the Tweets.
@ChowGirls – Bring it!
Q – #1 So when did the @chowgirls first begin, and how did you come up with the name?
A: March 2004. @amylynnbrown and I were bantering names back and forth. She said ChowBaby. I said ChowChicks. She said Chowgirls.
We stopped right there. I went home and registered the domain. She worked on logo mock-up.
Q – #2 So what would you say is the primary type or theme of the food that you offer?
A: Local, organic. Amy is from Kentucky so we do great Southern food. I’ve studied cooking in Sicily and Italy.
Some people know us for comfort food, others know us for fancy finger foods. Common factor in all is local, organic.
Q – #3 Everything I’ve tried of yours is good! Regarding your ingredients that you use, where do they come from? Suppliers.
A: Beef =Thousand Hills. Chix = Callister Farms. Eggs = Larry Schultz. Dairy = Hope Creamery.
Veg = Farmers Mkts, Local Farms, Co-op Ptnrs
has awesome herbs!
Nice… US Jails just tracked us cuz we mentioned Ktky
Q – #4 You also are a part of a local “Compost Community” of restaurants. Can you share more about that?
A: Yes, 85% of our kitchen waste is composted through Eureka Recycling. 10% is recycled. 5% is trash.
We’re friends with lots of other restaurants in Eureka’s compost program, too: @BirchwoodCafe @Senyaisenlek
More composting friends: @RedStagNE @IzzysIceCream @BrasaRotisserie. We all gathered for biz training from @ZingTrain
The commitment to sustainability offers a strong bond. Lots of similar biz philosophies.
More great green friends: @Peace_Coffee @FairFoodFight
Q – #5 That’s awesome! Getting back to your menu, what can you do for people with dietary restrictions/limitations?
A: We have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items on our menu. Happy to make accommodations to other dishes if requested
Q – #6 Very nice! :) In addition to your catering business, do you have space for hosting events/parties?
A: Yes, we are leasing a gallery space next to our kitchen. @rosalux_gallery hangs the art. We rent it out for events
The space is perfect for groom’s dinners, birthday parties, business meetings. Love it for cocktail parties of 70-100.
And of course we are the exclusive catering for the space. Getting a liquor license for the space, too.
Q – #7 That leads me to ask this, what size of groups can you care for, and what is your price range?
A: We can do a dinner party for 10 or a corporate party for 1,200. Prices start @ $11/per person for simple bag lunch.
Most events – weddings, office parties – are more realistically in the $25-$40 per person range.
And it’s really fun when someone has a buget of $100/per guest. :)
Q – #8 I bet! :) Lets now focus on the future of @chowgirls. Isn’t there something about @chowgirls on wheels? Maybe a truck?
A: Shooting for spring. Boss ladies of the MSP food trucks – @chefshack1 + @shackattacks – have given their blessings
Other fave food trucks in town include @dandelionktchn and @128cafe. @FoxyFalafel should get one, too!
Q – #9 Any other goals that you’ve made for the @chowgirls or opportunities that you’re considering?
A: We just finished a photo shoot for a cookbook. We don’t have a publisher yet, but we have connections.
We plan to host farm-to-table dinners in our event space. Folks who like our food, but don’t need catering, can try us.
@JoelECarlson – Great! Well all the best to you (Heidi) and Amy with the @chowgirls catering business. Thanks for sharing & keep up the great work!
@ChowGirls – Thank YOU! Good times.