Quality Food, Quality Life: Wellness + Nutrition with Spice Catering Co.
In a world where convenience often trumps quality, a growing movement brings us back to our roots—quite literally. At Spice Catering, we believe in celebrating the freshest, most flavorful ingredients that come straight from local farms to your plate. Our commitment to the farm-to-fork philosophy ensures that every dish we serve tastes incredible and supports local farmers and sustainable practices. Eating local, seasonal food can transform your dining experience into something exceptional.
The Farm-to-Fork Connection: A Deep Dive
Our dedication to the farm-to-fork philosophy goes beyond just using fresh ingredients. We've cultivated relationships with a carefully selected group of local farmers who share our vision for quality and sustainability. Our journey has led us to partners like Rainbow Farm, where Larry and Tina Clow plan crops with us seasons in advance, ensuring we have the highest quality produce for our menus. We source our mushrooms from Tom at Killbuck Valley, meats from DJ's in central Ohio, and our dairy from Ohio-based Snowville Creamery and Hartzler Family Dairy.
These partnerships aren't just about sourcing ingredients but about supporting a sustainable local food system. As Ben Bebenroth, our founder, puts it, "These are families doing their thing, filling their farm stands with nutrition." This approach not only ensures the freshest ingredients for our clients but also strengthens our local economy and reduces our environmental impact.
Cultivating Joy: Our Quality Food = Quality Life Philosophy
At Spice, we don't just create meals; we craft culinary experiences that nourish both body and soul. Our philosophy is simple: quality food = quality life. We focus on using nutrient-dense foods that provide maximum health benefits and bring joy to everyone who dines with us. This means avoiding preservatives and artificial elements and instead embracing the natural goodness of farm-fresh ingredients.
At the heart of Spice Catering's approach is a profound understanding of food's role in our lives. As Ben explains, "Food to us is really just absorbing the energy of the earth, and then we take in that energy, and it's that food that is now our ability to exact our purpose back out onto the world."
This philosophy influences every aspect of our operation, from menu planning to ingredient selection. We believe that the food choices we make have far-reaching consequences - not just for our health, but for our ability to contribute positively to the world around us. As Ben puts it, "You can never do great things with horrible inputs." This consciousness around eating drives us to make choices that benefit not only the consumer but also the source of the food and the environment.
Our dedication to quality begins with the careful selection of ingredients. By partnering with local farmers, we ensure that the produce we use is picked at its peak ripeness, providing the highest levels of vitamins and minerals. This commitment to freshness means that our dishes are not only bursting with flavor but also packed with the nutrients needed for a healthy lifestyle.
Seasonal Rhythms: Adapting Our Menus to Nature's Cycles
Our menus are a celebration of what's in season. This approach allows us to provide a variety of flavors and nutrients, making every meal a delightful and healthful experience. Each season brings its own unique bounty, and we relish the opportunity to highlight these ingredients in our culinary creations.
We've had to be flexible in our approach, understanding that local growing seasons don't always align with client expectations. For instance, while strawberry season in Ohio is only a few weeks long, we've expanded our sourcing radius to accommodate demand while still prioritizing regional producers.
This approach keeps our team connected to the rhythms of nature. As Ben notes, "What grows together, goes together." By cooking with seasonal ingredients, we create dishes that are not only delicious but also make culinary sense. This philosophy prevents us from creating dishes that "crowd plates with stuff that just doesn't belong," ensuring each meal is a harmonious celebration of the season.
By avoiding preservatives, artificial additives, and overly processed ingredients, we keep our food pure and wholesome. Our chefs use traditional cooking methods combined with innovative techniques to bring out the best in each ingredient, creating meals that are both delicious and nourishing.
In addition to focusing on what's in season, we also pay attention to the sourcing of our ingredients. This farm-to-fork connection fosters a deeper appreciation for the food we serve and reinforces our commitment to quality and sustainability. Every meal we make is an opportunity to nourish the body and delight the senses. Our menus reflect our dedication to providing the highest quality food, crafted with care and a deep respect for nature's rhythms.
The Art of Customization: Accommodating Every Palate and Need
We understand that every event is unique, and so are our guests' culinary wishes. At Spice Catering, customization is key. We take the time to understand each client's vision and create personalized menus that cater to their specific preferences and restrictions. Whether it's a corporate gathering, a wedding, or a small intimate dinner, our goal is to ensure that everyone can enjoy the wholesome and delicious flavors we bring to the table.
Inclusivity is at the heart of our service; one of our core values is "We Before Me." We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the culinary experience, regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences. From vegan and gluten-free options to dishes tailored for specific health needs, we go above and beyond to ensure that every individual can savor the best of what we have to offer.
Our from-scratch kitchen allows us to accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences with ease and confidence. As Ben explains, "Because we know everything that's going into our food, there's no guessing game." This transparency allows us to easily modify dishes or offer suitable alternatives for clients with specific dietary needs.
We've even appointed a dedicated allergen specialist, Angela Campanella, whose personal experience with her son's severe allergies informs our rigorous allergen program. This attention to detail ensures that all guests can enjoy our meals safely and confidently.
Supporting Local and Sustainable Practices
Our commitment to quality extends beyond the plate. By sourcing ingredients from local farms, we support sustainable agricultural practices and reduce our environmental impact. This not only helps us provide the freshest food but also strengthens our community and economy. We take pride in knowing that our farm-to-fork model contributes to a healthier planet and a more vibrant local food system.
Supporting local farmers is a core aspect of our philosophy. By choosing to source our ingredients locally, we reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. This eco-conscious approach ensures that our food is not only delicious but also environmentally friendly. Each meal served is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and our love for the community.
Our Commitment to Wellness: Nutrition-Focused Menu Planning
Quality food plays a huge role in overall wellness. At Spice Catering, we believe that what you eat directly impacts your health and well-being. Our commitment to wellness is reflected in every dish we create. We focus on using ingredients that are not only fresh but also nutrient-dense, providing our clients with meals that are both delicious and beneficial to their health.
This nutritional focus is particularly evident in our work with professional sports teams in Cleveland. We tailor our menus to support athletic performance, considering factors like calorie load, fat content, and carbohydrate levels. For example, pre-game meals might feature light fruits, soft-cooked vegetables, and white rice for easy digestion, while post-game meals could include more substantial fare like bison meatloaf with twice-roasted carrots.
This nutritional focus extends to our corporate clients as well. We offer dishes like our popular Sunny Soba Salad and Sweet Potato Bowl, which are not only delicious but also provide sustained energy without the mid-afternoon crash often associated with less nutrient-dense lunches.
We prioritize nutrient-dense foods in our menus, focusing on ingredients that provide maximum nutritional benefit. Some examples include:
Complete proteins: We incorporate foods like eggs, salmon, and our house-made hummus (a combination of chickpeas and tahini) to provide all essential amino acids.
Sweet potatoes: A favorite for their low carbohydrate load and high nutrient density.
Colorful fruits and vegetables: We follow the "eat your colors" principle to ensure a wide range of nutrients.
Thoughtfully prepared proteins: Our chicken tenders, for instance, are gluten-free, made from organic chickens, and fried in sunflower oil, served with nutrient-rich sauces like herby tahini.
Freshness means higher vitamin and mineral content. By selecting ingredients at their peak, we ensure the best in every bite. This dedication to wellness through food is at the core of what we do.
Looking to the Future: Our Wellness Program Initiative
As we look to the future, our commitment to the farm-to-fork model remains steadfast. We continue to innovate and find new ways to enhance the dining experience while staying true to our roots. Whether it's through new partnerships with local farms, expanding our menu offerings, or exploring new sustainable practices, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the best that Cleveland has to offer.
We're excited to announce the upcoming launch of our corporate wellness program. This initiative aims to improve employee health and performance through nutrition education and engagement. The program will offer three tiers of involvement:
Nutrient-dense corporate lunches accompanied by educational videos.
Monthly or quarterly online cooking demonstrations, where employees cook along with our chefs.
In-person cooking demonstrations and meals at your workplace.
This program is designed to empower employees to make healthier food choices, potentially reducing healthcare costs for companies by decreasing reliance on prescription medications. By combining delicious, nutritious meals with education and hands-on experience, we hope to create lasting positive changes in the way people think about and interact with their food.
Our Commitment to You
At Spice Catering, we believe that quality food is the foundation of a quality life. By embracing the farm-to-fork approach, we ensure that every meal is a celebration of health, wellness, and sustainability. Through these initiatives, Spice Catering continues to demonstrate that quality food truly does lead to a quality life, extending our impact far beyond the plate.
Ready to elevate your next event with our farm-fresh, locally-sourced cuisine? Reach out to us today and let's create an unforgettable dining experience together.