Scenic City Catering and BBQ 2 U co-owner Steve Brouse stands outside the business in Ashley Plaza.Scenic City Catering, which has been serving the Chattanooga area for the past six years, has expanded its offerings to include personal chef services and a to-go barbecue restaurant, BBQ 2 U.
The business established its kitchen at Ashley Plaza two years ago, though the health problems owner Steve Brouse experienced shortly after prevented him and his wife Michele, co-owner, from hosting a grand-opening celebration, he said.
The Signal Mountain couple shares a passion for food, said Steve Brouse, whom regulars at the Signal Mountain Farmers Market have come to know as "The Tamale Man."
Tricia Anderson is one such regular, and stops by the kitchen when the market isn't open to pick up tamales in bulk.
"This is the closest I can find to real tamales," Anderson said, explaining that she became accustomed to authentic tamales while growing up in Tucson, Ariz. "They're in the corn husk, as they should be. I like that I can get them out of the fridge and put them with rice for an easy dinner."
Brouse said his tamales became such a hit that he decided to start bringing out barbecue as well, which he began selling out of Scenic City's kitchen during lunch about a month ago.
"I started to build a little following," he said. "I may move into the dinner hours if we see that it's compatible with the catering, which is our primary business."
Scenic City Catering prides itself on offering every type of cuisine, and the business can accommodate any budget or dietary needs, said Brouse.
"We serve anything from a totally vegetarian selection for the Adventist community up to the heartiest, richest cuisine there is," he said.
Through its personal chef service, the company offers options such as a chef coming to a client's home to cook a meal for guests on a special occasion, or to cook a week's worth of meals that can be heated up to serve. The business also offers meal delivery for the elderly and disabled.
Weddings are the bulk of Scenic City's business, and it is a preferred vendor at venues such as Mayor's Mansion Inn and the Church on Main, Brouse said.
"We're unique in that Michele prides herself on being as accommodating as possible and flexible according to what they're needs are," he said.
While Scenic City offers all types of cuisine, Steve Brouse said one of his favorite entrées is the lemon butter caper salmon, which is served over a bed of wild rice pilaf with a squash medley and sweet onions.
He added that his barbecue can also be catered, and he has the capability to smoke the meat on-site.
Scenic City Catering and BBQ 2 U are at 1309 Taft Highway, Suite 139, and can be reached at 227-6370. BBQ 2 U is open for takeout Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information visit sceniccitycatering.com.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.