BERTHA, THE GRATEFUL GOURMET FOOD TRUCK
What do you get when you merge a Deadhead with a love of feeding people? This tiny 1957 canned ham camper was the spark for what is now the Grateful Gourmet food truck. She was purchased from a fisherman in Currituck, North Carolina, brought home to New Jersey, then painstakingly outfitted to be able to serve you some of the greatest hits on the Grateful Gourmet menu! From mouthwatering Southern inspired classics like Shrimp and Grits, Collard Greens, smash burgers, tots and celestial 7 mac and cheese and so much more! Ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible to ensure that every bite is bursting with the highest quality and flavor.
Whether you're in the mood for classic comfort dishes or something you and exciting, my rotating and custom menu will have something for everyone and for every special ocassion.
Thank you for choosing Bertha for your special event! Come on out and see us soon and let me show you why she's the best food truck in town!
Please follow on social media : @gratefuldes Instagram, @gratefuldes on Twitter and @iamthegratefulgourmet on Facebook.
WHO IS THE GRATEFUL GOURMET?
My name is Desiree - also known as Desi - and I am The Grateful Gourmet. Growing up in a large family of six, we rarely went out to eat. My mother would buy exciting cookbooks that explored cuisine from regions all around the world. From the age I was old enough to stand on chairs and step stools, I would help my mother and my grandmother choose what we were going to make for dinner. My mother’s cooking was influenced by her German heritage, so we always enjoyed savory, home-cooked meals and delicious home-baked breads and desserts. My grandmother, hailing from the Pennsylvania Dutch, blended the long-held traditions of her own family's recipes with that of the the Southern variety, passed down on my Grandfather’s side of the family from Virginia.
This approach to cooking proved adventurous, inventive and exciting and inspiring. We were a farm-to-table family, long before that was even a thing. My parents were self-sustaining Philadelphia area transplants, living on a rural mountain upstate, with an industrial refrigerator in the kitchen, bushels of apples on the table, and hand-raised food on our plates. Economical, healthy, and out-of-this-world delicious. I started falling in love with food, and being in service of it, as a teenager working in the restaurants business. I often found myself stepping in to help tend bar or get behind the grill for the day. In college I cooked for my roommates, feeding anyone that couldn’t make it home on weekends or holidays. We were all on tight budgets, so everyone pitched in for groceries, and I'd whip up a nice, homemade meal. They loved it... and I loved doing it.
Even upon entering into the corporate world of sales, as a specialist in training and recruiting, I always kept my toe in culinary waters. I became known in the office for being the one who brought in the delicious dips, cakes and casseroles. Soon I found myself booked for small catering gigs, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, weekend festivals and eventually larger community events and weddings. I delighted in customizing my menu for each unique client. Enter the COVID-19 pandemic, when corporate cutbacks unexpectedly propelled me into realizing my long-held dream of launching the Grateful Gourmet into the world.
As this culinary adventure evolves.. my focus is shifting just a bit and it's very exciting!
I currently offer full service catering and a wide range of services to meet all your culinary needs. From elegant catering for weddings and speical events to custom charcuterie for gaterings of any size. I am dedicated to providing you with a custom food experience with exceptional service.
In addition to catering, I also offer private chef services for those looking for a more intimate and personalized dining experience. Working to create a custom menu that fits your taste preferences and dietary needs, ensuring your experience is a memorable one.
I am excited to announce that I will soon be opening a brick and mortar location in Mill Race Village, Mount Holly, NJ. Where you'll be able to come and experience my food in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. So stay tuned for the next steps in this adventure.. they're going to be amazing!
Thank you for choosing The Grateful Gourmet for all of your culinary needs. We can't wait to serve you and create an unforgettable dining experience together!
For this is all a dream we weaved one afternoon... long ago....
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Every meal is a celebration! Book a consult now to discuss your next event.
Booking The Grateful Gourmet Food Truck or Catering Services
I'm glad to see your interest in booking services. Please provide me with more details about your event such as date, time, location, number of guests and any specific preferences or dietary restrictions. This will help me tailor servies to meet your needs.
Notes about booking. There is a 50% non refundable deposit required for any booked event.
Remaining balance is due two weeks prior to event with final headcount. We have a 20% service charge on all events. There is a travel fee of $1 per mile each way for anything outside of a 20 mile radius of Catering Kitchen in Mount Holly, NJ .
There is a minimum to book the food truck. Food truck events are booked for a minimum of two hours. There is an hourly charge for the food truck.
Every 50 guests there should be an additional server which will be an upcharge.
Local taxes apply.
We provide all plates, utensils, napkins and condiments on food truck.
We use eco-sustainable paper products only.
We arrive 60 minutes prior to the event with the food truck and take 30-45 minutes to breakdown.
The food truck needs a flat spot to park, and it's helpful to have enough space for the pickup truck that hauls it, however we can easily move the pickup out of the way as needed. We are generally capable of plugging into any electrical outlet, however we can bring our own quiet generator for self-sufficiency.
Contracts will be signed for all events.
Please reach out for menu's as they change seasonally and pricing may change to reflect market costs.