Vendor Spotlight: Heather of Bar Harbor Catering Company

“At Bar Harbor Catering Company, we’re foodies with an extreme case of wanderlust. Our mission is to produce extraordinary events with legendary customer service and modern Maine cuisine, created by happy people.” – Bar Harbor Catering Company

How long have you been operating your business?

2009 – we’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year!

How would you describe your services?

BHCC has grown into a full-service catering and event planning company focusing on the client and their overall experience, not only on the event day but in the months and even years leading up to an event. BHCC’s team spends time getting to know each client and then creates unique experiences based on their dreams and expectations. In the kitchen, our commitment to quality ingredients is essential. We utilize local organic produce whenever possible and source sustainable ingredients from local farms.

What makes your work unique?

We live by the saying “good enough is not enough.” This reaches beyond the dining experience at events. From the initial planning process and venue site visits to how we train and develop each of our team members to event design and creation, we never settle for mediocrity.

• Woman-owned and run
• Specialize in one-on-one style service
• Offer ​additional substantial benefits​ to booking our services
• Community involvement
• Locally sourced ingredients, work with farms to bring the farm to table style offerings
• Compost and recycling program, ​Sustainable Business Pledge
• Different is the new normal
• Gaining popularity, our private event chefs serve restaurant-quality food in small, unique settings

How would you describe your style?

We pride ourselves on forging our own path, taking cues from the old, new, textured, traditional, nontraditional, unconventional, and everything in between. We also look to where we live for A LOT of our style inspiration. Extra touches, which are above and beyond the expected, make each event even more special and unique. We go where each client’s event goes – be that at a campground, an estate perched on a cliff, a rustic farmhouse, or anywhere in between.

For anyone planning a wedding or major event, one of the most alluring qualities of this place is the beautiful backdrops. The evergreen forests hugging the cragged shores, the fields full of lupines that, at night, dance beneath one of the darkest night skies you’ll ever see, and the way the sea, lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, and wide-open spaces all come together in one place. It’s simply magical. The natural, authentic rugged elegance of Maine is one of BHCC’s specialties.

We also do a lot of travel worldwide to keep the seasons of our craft fresh and growing!

How would you describe your ideal client?

Any client is our ideal client. As cheesy as that sounds, we love working with clients, no matter whether they have any ideas about their event or none at all – getting to know them is one of our favorite parts of the planning process! Although, a love of food is a must! If great food (and service) isn’t a priority for a particular couple, we likely won’t be a good fit for their event.

What is your favorite moment on the wedding day?

I’m a total sucker for when the couple sees one another for the first time. The raw emotional beauty of that unveiling is so wondrous. My second favorite, which is a close second, is that moment when the couple looks around in awe and just basks in the love of having their family and friends gathered in one place to celebrate their marriage. Because, there’s always that moment – when they’re sitting down to listen to toasts or when they’ve finished eating a bite to eat and they look around at everyone gathered…I always feel truly honored to witness that moment.

What is your favorite day trip in Maine?

One of my go-to ways to relax is to head into the woods for a long walk or hike. Living so close to Acadia National Park, this is certainly easy enough to do, but I love to escape to a more remote location. Moosehead Lake has been a very special spot for me for nearly 25 years. Whether I’m exploring the woods, kayaking on the lake, or laying on the beach staring up at the stars, it’s where I always feel the most at peace.

Owner Name: Mandy Fountaine

Planner Name: Heather Anderson

Business Name: Bar Harbor Catering Company

Address: PO Box 748

City/State/Zip: Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Phone: 207.801.9382

Website: www.bhcaterco.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhcaterco/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhcaterco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhcaterco/