Kathy Jerritt, owner of Tria: Fine Catering and Gourmet Eats, has purchased Country Catering, a longtime Valley business owned by Lorna Bridge.
Tria, which offers full-service catering for large groups and intimate events, has expanded into a full service production kitchen at 1279 5th St. in Courtenay after opening a small lunch counter at the Butcher’s Block last year. It had been located at Nature's Way Farm/Blue Moon Winery.
"I was at that stage where we were coming to the realization it was growing too quickly and we didn't have the space," said Jerritt, who founded Tria in 2009.
Purchasing Country Catering has "opened up a different world.
"I'm also leasing her (Bridge's) production space, which gave us the opportunity to grow," Jerritt said.
Bridge operated Country Catering about 30 years after purchasing Mitch's Catering which had operated about the same amount of time. She is retiring from the catering business but plans to continue working in some capacity.
"This is just a new chapter for me," Bridge said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it. (But) It's time for change. I'm looking forward to doing something different."
She thanks the Filberg Centre, Leung's Grocery and the Butcher's Block for their support the past 30 years — and her husband Brian, who ate many bachelor's meals during that time.
Bridge also credits Jerritt for being "passionate about what she does."
Tria's retails sales for its take home dinner line will be at Mudsharks Coffee Bar at 244 Fourth St.
"It's a good collaborative effort," said Jerritt, whose "babies" are the Full Moon Feasts, which allow her to be creative.
"It's the thing that I really would like to be able to continue on," she said.
While the farm could accommodate 20 people, the new venue at the Filberg Lodge in Comox will be able to host at least 40 guests.
"We have the opportunity to also have a chef's table inside the lodge for another 10, so we can actually do 50 for the Full Moon Feast," Jerritt said.
This year is Tria's fourth season hosting its signature summer event that will offer a dining experience by the water under a tent lit by a chandelier and candlelight. Full Moon Feast dates are June 4, July 3 and Aug. 31, all at 5 p.m. The June feast is filling up quickly.
For more information visit www.triafinecatering.ca. To book a space, contact Jerritt at 250-871-8716 or kathy@triafinecatering.ca.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
