Located in Rhode Island, Ripe Food and Events is a well-known catering company focused on integrating fresh foods into all types of dishes. Its owner, Joshua Riazi, is a well-respected chef who has worked in restaurants including Maestro at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC, and Al Forno Restaurant, in Providence. Here, he explains the benefits of using locally sourced ingredients.
One of the biggest trends in the catering business in recent years has been an increased interest in locally-grown, organic foods. Here at Ripe Food and Events, however, we have been focused on bringing those types of ingredients to our clients for years.
We have always tried to source as many of our ingredients as possible from local farms, including everything from the produce we use, to the meats, and even the fishes. So what makes the meals that we create unique is the use of fresh, local ingredients. And believe it or not, that is something people can really tell when they taste the dishes we create.
Whether you are planning a wedding or hosting an event in your home, choosing a caterer who works primarily with local ingredients can be an excellent way to make your event unique. That has been our niche for a while, so that is why Ripe Food and Events is so well-known for that.
When you run a catering company that focuses on getting foods from local purveyors and using ingredients that are as fresh as can possibly be, that is just a real benefit to the client. Because not only do you as the party host know where the food has come from — knowledge which you can share with guests — but it will taste better, as well.
The fruits and vegetables that we use are not from Asia or halfway across the country, they are usually from a farm right down the street. In addition, we try not to process the foods very much, so the natural taste can shine through.
Finally, I would say that eating a diet rich in sustainable, locally grown, organic ingredients is going to be healthier in almost all aspects, something that you are passing on to your guests when you choose to go that route with a party menu.
Foods don’t have to be flavorless to be healthy, and that is something people really do not understand oftentimes about what it means to eat in a sustainable manner. For example, people love all of our food, of course, but the one thing I would say we are really well known for is our jumbo mini crab cakes. People just love those for all types of events.
No matter what the particular type of event you are hosting may be, choosing to go with a catering company that uses fresh, local ingredients will speak volumes to your guests about your personal taste level, which is always a good thing.
