Community Highlights: Meet Jill Santa Lucia of Catering Works

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Santa Lucia.

Hi Jill, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started in my mom’s kitchen after I graduated from Johnson & Whales with a degree in culinary arts. I’ve always had a love for pastry and cooking. I started making chocolate truffles and wholesaling them to several department stores realizing very quickly that the humidity in NC was not my friend! I quickly transitioned to catering and opened Catering Works in 1989 where we started weddings and corporate events.

I started working with a few local companies and by word of mouth, we continued to grow. In 3 years we had about 30 full-time employees and 1M in revenue. In growing so quickly, My sister Lorin joined to execute the systems and creative structure that was needed with her military background. Today Catering Works has done an excess of 10M in revenue and servicing private, corporate, and family meals. During Covid, we created two sister companies, Ella’s Popcorn, and Figs Market, though Catering Works is still the core brand.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been challenges! From hurricanes to September 11th, and recently the biggest challenge without a doubt has been Covid. When your entire career relies on gathering and you can’t, you have to become creative. Due to Covid we quickly adapted and created Figs Market, our online family meal service, and Ella’s Popcorn, a gourmet popcorn atelier!

As you know, we’re big fans of Catering Works. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Catering Works is a full-service catering company offering turn-key wedding and bridal events, food and beverage, wedding cakes, florals, and fully designed receptions.

Catering Works specializes in customized menus and award-winning chef creations. We also specialize in creating memorable events.

Catering Works is set apart by our turnkey solutions offering full package solutions from wedding cakes and florals. When only the works will do!

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a risk-taker! We have taken many risks, owning a business is a huge risk and we’ve been at it for 32 years. Deciding to stay open during Covid was a major risk that paid off. We also transitioned from a small building to a huge campus that includes two buildings with a venue and additional storage space and resources.

With every risk, there is a reward and you have to be thoughtful if the reward will be higher than the risk. When the answer is yes, you have to go for it and that is how I like to live.

Pricing:

• $16 delivery menus
• $65 full service events
• $3000 venue rental
• $399 wedding cake
• $29 – $159 corporate gifting

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: cateringworks.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/cateringworks
• Facebook: facebook.com/cateringworks
• Twitter: twitter.com/cateringworks
• Youtube: youtube.com/cateringworks

Image Credits:
Revolution Studios, Heart of NC Weddings, and Hans Rosemond.