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Cowgirl Hospitality Group’s Southern Belle Catering Service Brings Gourmet to Your Home b y We n d y O . D i x o n
I n 2005, Texas-born Nikki Nickerson shared her pioneer spirit and knowledge of fine food when she opened Cowgirl Kitchen in beautiful Rosemary Beach, Fla. The concept was simple: fresh, delicious food in a casual setting with quick, friendly service for an easy place to mingle with friends or to get great food to go. Today, that concept has grown from that one restaurant to Cowgirl Hospitality Group, which includes three restaurants, a boutique retail store, and Southern Belle Catering Company, all along 30-A. And all of these ventures focus on that initial concept, which is providing their guests with casual and fun experiences while serving delicious food with an inviting and hospitable staff. “Our places focus on fun, affordable and delicious food,” Nickerson says. “Our catering company focuses on delivering a casual delicious experience in their home.” Responding to the extraordinary challenges of serving food safely in 2020, Southern Belle Catering has kicked it into high gear, bringing the community safe, convenient, and delicious meal options perfect for small dinner get-togethers, outdoor breakfasts on the beach, and everything in between. Chef Catheryne Heppler has created menus that make your mouth wa- ter just reading them. “We have really continued to focus on that initial concept of simplicity and fresh in- gredients while responding to the needs of our cus- tomers and changing the menu to meet those needs,” says Heppler. “Our customers have come to expect the flawless, easy experience, delicious food and great service and we continue to provide that.” Chef Heppler joined forces with Southern Belle Catering as catering director in 2019 after moving to 30-A with her husband Rob, following their yearning to call Santa Rosa Beach home. Previously, Heppler was a chef out of Michigan, where she won numerous awards with Taste of America and competed in the World Food Championships in Dallas. Chef Heppler has really found her niche with Southern Belle Catering. “I work with some of the most wonderful people and get to really create experiences for them that change the way they feel about food, while taking the stress out of their events— whether that’s a small family dinner or a large corporate lunch,” says Heppler.
Heppler and Nickerson continue to work closely together, offering favorites on the menu like sage biscuits, Southern barbecue family dinners, taco bars, shrimp boils, charcuterie boards and more. They are continually inspired by the incredible area of Northwest Florida, and especially the 30-A community, the food of the gulf, and the people who surround it. The Southern Belle Catering menu includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktail parties, wine dinners, and taco bar options, as well as grazing boards, desserts and beverages. One can easily place an order 72 hours in advance and pick it up at the nearest Cowgirl Hospitality Group location. Meals are packaged in disposable containers and ready to go. The catering service has a low per person requirement of just 10 people, so even small gatherings can feel special and easy. Consider Southern Belle Catering to cater your festivities. Thanksgiving meals have been one of the most popular catering events for Southern Belle Catering, now going on 15 years. With a la carte offerings from smoked turkeys, traditional and modern- day sides and vegetables and all the fixings, there’s something that will please every taste. According to Nickerson, “It is by far our biggest production of the year, and we take the holiday seriously, we want families and friends feeling ‘wowed’ for their holiday. I may be biased, but it is the easiest and most delicious way to do Thanksgiving at the beach.” About Cowgirl Hospitality Group Cowgirl Hospitality Group offers three restaurant experiences along 30-A; Blue Mabel Restaurant and Bar, Cowgirl Kitchen Restaurant and Bar, and Cowgirl Kitch- en Market, along with boutique retail store CK Feed & Supply, and catering through Southern Belle Catering Company. All focus on a casual and fun experiences while serving delicious food with an inviting and hospi- table staff. Nikki Nickerson was recognized in 2019 as a James Beard Fellow for outstanding entrepreneurship with her culinary leadership and has been a restaurant operator in South Walton, Fla., since 2005.
Chef Catheryne Heppler
Southern Belle Catering has kicked it into high gear, bringing the community safe, convenient, and delicious meal options perfect for small dinner get-togethers, outdoor breakfasts on the beach, and everything in between.
Southern Belle Catering; southernbellecatering.co; catering@cowgirlkitchen.com
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