Some people fear a mid-life career change. Andrea Mason embraced it, wrestled it to the ground and named it Catering by Dinner is Served. The edible proof that her mid-life change is a blessing to anyone with tastebuds is the golden brown layers of phyllo, the Moroccan Tajine Stew over Polenta, the Poached Pears in Raspberry Sauce, and the Antipasto featuring Grilled Asparagus, Artichoke Hearts, Mushrooms, Squash, Eggplant & Olives. It is also quite apparent in the intimate catering services and specialized presentation of beautiful vegetarian and vegan buffets and passed hors d’oeuvres suitable for all occasions. Intimate catering? Sounds more like a service one would find at a house of burlesque, but in this case, it’s actually a style of catering that takes into account the clients’ tastes, lifestyle, and other event requests.

On her self-designed veggiecatering.com and newenglandbaklava.com websites, the intimate, nurturing style that Andrea brings to the table is described in detailed. “The food is the focus,” says Mason, “in accordance with personalized service.” And given that Andrea studied her craft under Mollie Katzen, author of the original Moosewood Cookbook, and at both the Institute for Culinary Education (ICE) in New York and Newbury College in MA, the food she focuses on it delicious, creative, and ethnically diverse. Just look at the sample menus available at veggiecatering.com ~ if your mouth is not watering and you’re not inspired to host an event as an excuse to taste some of her offerings, check your pulse!  

After speaking with Andrea, it becomes obvious that she is passionate about every aspect of her business. She is just about as far as possible from (pardon the pun) being a “cookie-cutter” caterer; instead of offering the personalized service one would get at, say, the doctor’s office, these caterers try to appeal to a majority of citizens, which Andrea likens to a trip to Wal-Mart.

Ms. Mason’s ability to carve out a niche in the dog-eat-dog world of entrepeneurship by catering to alternative lifestyles is quite impressive. She realized even before venturing into the catering arena that these non-traditional lifestyles deserve a “relaxed atmosphere” and “casual elegance” that is not always provided by mainstream caterers. Because Andrea is herself part of the GLBT community, she has the advantage of having ~ or rather her customers can reap the rewards of her having ~ an alternative lifestyle focus and sensibility; and when concerns, preferences, and perspectives are shared by both business and client, the result is ultimately more cohesive and a better fit.

Andrea’s vision extends above and beyond the edible food and into her presentation. She uses decorative greens and garnishes from her own yard; she believes that eating should be a multi-sensory experience. “If catering is too ‘over the top’, you lose the food,” Andrea explains. (Author’s observation: I found this to be a particularly important point in my own social life when my host put dry ice directly into the punch bowl at a recent Halloween party…poison for the guests, how lovely!)

With Andrea Mason, the customer is of the utmost importance. With no set menu, she is prepared to take her clients “…wherever they want to go.” One lesbian couple who had adopted two children of Guatemalan heritage chose Andrea to cater their wedding so that the children could experience their cultural roots.

Andrea notes that although niches can be a good thing, being able to adapt and take on different tasks is equally important. “There has to be a balance between your own integrity and how best to serve your customers,” says Andrea. Catering by Dinner is Served operates on Andrea’s own business philosophy, one which incorporates social, environmental, and charitable elements. She tries whenever possible to use organic foods, be kind to the planet, donate goods or services to non-profits and charities, and treat both her staff and clients with the utmost respect.

Whatever the occasion, Andrea Mason and Catering by Dinner is Served will provide an exceptional version of your vision, continuing, as the website proclaims, the “…long and grand tradition of bringing people together for celebrating life’s events.”