From the Heart Photography
After six successful years in business, local catering company Deliciously Different Specialty Items Inc. has added a “bar car” to its eclectic catering and event services.
“We were looking for something to set us apart from other catering and event companies,” said owner Robin Smith. “Food trucks have become a very big draw.”
Instead of a food truck, however, she and her husband and business partner, Mark Smith, decided to add a bar car. Using a retro camping trailer, Mark–a carpenter by trade–upgraded and re-fitted the trailer into a mobile bar, completely outfitted with glass and barware, ice, two bar stools and a generator, if necessary, to provide power.
They use the 16-foot long converted camper to serve bottled beer, wine, hard cider, champagne, soft drinks and mineral water at weddings, family parties and other events. The beverages are provided by the clients, and Robin Smith said that this way of serving guests is more cost effective and facilitates more mingling and socializing. Instead of serving guests while they are seated at tables, having the bar car creates a reason for people to get up from tables and interact with others at the event.
Smith said they do not offer table service, but the staff does circulate throughout the event and picks up glassware and bottles.
The Smiths see the addition of the bar car as a benefit to the future of the business. It expands the types of events they can work with, as well as their geographic reach. The bar car can easily be transported from place to place.
“We also use it to serve late night snacks at private and public events,” said Smith.
She began working in the catering business on Long Island and, after relocating to the Glens Falls area, she and her husband decided to open their own business. Deliciously Different Specialty Items offers a customized alternative to many of the more traditional caterers in the region. Their first catered events were held at Burlap and Beams, a venue located in Thurman, N.Y.
“We catered their first open house,” said Smith. Since then, she said business is booming. They cater to weddings, corporate events, graduations, showers and just about any other type of party that people may want to host. They can accommodate both small and large groups.
In the six years they have been in business, they have seen their territory grow and they now cater to clients from as far south as Albany, all the way up north to Keane, N.Y.
Smith handles all the food preparation, but she notes that husband has become her primary “grill person.”
The menu includes an extensive list of appetizers, many of which are a departure from some of the more traditional menu items.
“Our appetizers are a real highlight and we offer things that are very different from what most other caterers offer,” she said. “Our presentations are also very unique and our clients are always very happy with our work.”
In addition to the food preparation, she said she likes to be out on the floor, helping with passing appetizers and serving food. It is her way of hearing firsthand from guests what they like most. It also helps her to connect with guests.
In addition to the bar car, the Smiths also recently opened a storefront located at 989 Route 9 in Queensbury. They use it as a prep shop, as well as a meeting place where clients can do tastings and plan an event. The space can also be used as an event location and will accommodate up to 40 people.
“While we do not yet offer takeout options at this point, it may be something to consider in the future,” she said.
Smith calls it all a natural progression. “We like to tackle one thing at a time,” she added.