Vendor Spotlight- T.B.A.G Caterers

Name: Christopher C. Brooks
Location: Metro DC, Northern, Virginia and Maryland
Company: T.B.A.G. Caterers
Number of Years in Business: 6yrs
Website: http://www.tbagcaterers.com

Please tell us about your company and how you got started:
We were two of four partners in a soul food/ live jazz restaurant venture. The restaurant had closed its doors but people had the itch for more of that good, finger lickin’, belly rubbin food. So what started out basically helping some friends and family coordinate and help prepare food for various dinner parties and picnics turned out to a nice business opportunity. People always said that you guys should start a catering business. After thinking about it for some time and urging on from friends and family we decided to do it. So now the question is what is the name of our business, who are we. We looked at what we had.. two brothers (fraternal not biological) and a grill. So we took the first letter of each word and T.B.A.G. Caterers was born.

What inspires you?:
People. The reaction I get with this business is instant feedback, when they take a bite from something you have prepared specifically for them and their eyes roll in the back of their heads from sheer delight. That is my motivation to stay in this business. That is what makes me want o create. Put a different spin on a classic. Another thing t hat inspires me is fresh meats, produce and seafood. Just walking through Lexington Market in Baltimore, or the 9th St Market in Philadelphia, or to the local farmer’s market and buying the fresh catch of the day or sampling some of the produce just picked from the farm, it just makes you want to create something that will do justice for having a product so fresh

What do you think sets you apart from other Caterers in your industry?:
I think what sets us apart from other caterers is that we know our limitations, which doesn’t mean we are not always trying to improve and expand our culinary repetoire, but we like dealing with simple foods and doing them great. I have started a mantra..”less is more..” Taking the classics and doing them great!!

What are your favorite wedding websites?:
Of course http://www.stressawaybridalshop.com

What is the best advice you would give a bride-to-be wanting to save money on her wedding?:
Keep the guest list down as much as possible. Have a small intimate reception for 100-150 max and then maybe after you come back from your honeymoon have a blow out BBQ and invite EVERYBODY and they mamma! LOL I know you want to try and invite everybody, but unless your pockets are deep.. keep to what you, or the bride’s parents can afford.

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