Caterers generally don’t have a home base. With every week and every event, they are in constant flux.
It’s been the way Kirk Moskalyk does business for 23 years now.
Moskalyk is the man behind La Cascade Catering which specializes in off-site private and corporate events. He’s travelled by car to cater showers, staff parties, private dinner parties, weddings and around the world dinners.
And being a family man, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Moskalyk attended chef school in Ottawa and started his career in the restaurant industry. He also worked for a restaurant supply company here in Sudbury. It was a Christmas party catering experience at a deer hunt camp on Manitoulin Island that sealed his fate.
“I had a conversation that afternoon with my wife, Julie. We were expecting a child. I decided to quit my job and cater. That also allowed me the freedom to stay home with the children and do what I love,” he said.
Moskalyk has catered events of up to 1,200 people. His business relies on repetitive clients and word of mouth. He cites 85 per cent of his clients are those who just keep coming back.
“It’s nice to have people who want us. A soon-to-be bride recently called us asking what our availability was for her wedding,” he said.
The name La Cascade Catering was inspired by a chef school assignment whereby he created a fictitious restaurant and menu.
“There were waterfalls in the restaurant. Every once in a while, I take out that assignment and show the kids. Who knew that project so long ago would inspire La Cascade Catering,” he said.
Food has always been in Kirk’s blood. Growing up with Italian and Ukrainian grandmothers, he learned how to make pasta, gnocchi and pirohy.
He likes to share that passion with clients and inspires them to be creative with every event.
Moskalyk likes to suggest tapas events. It’s been his go-to for 10 years now. Tapas means loads of appetizers are up for sampling. Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, osso boku (veal shanks), sliders, tapenade and pizza cooked in his new portable oven. With tapas comes the availability for hosts to mingle and talk to guests all night long.
Moskalyk recognizes that tapas events are not for everyone. Some families and guests expect sit-down meals. Other options include coursed meals or Russian-style platters of food that can be packaged and taken home at the end of the night.
He also promotes oyster bars. He said many shy away from oyster bars, but he usually wins guests over with the results.
“Live oysters shucked in front of you on a bed of ice with sauces and vodka make for a wonderful presentation,” he said.
Kirk is a one-man show and that’s the way he likes it. He is organized and in control. He plans menus, picks up the groceries and listens to music while he works.
He says he’s 80-per-cent booked for Christmas functions. And the sooner those are taken care of, the sooner he can get back to being a family man.
This holiday season, he is looking forward to ice skating, hanging out with family in his pyjamas all day and his annual lobster Christmas dinner.
To learn more about La Cascade Catering, visit their website, LaCascade.ca.
Anastasia Rioux is a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
