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Local catering company provides flexible, fully mobile services to the area

Unique, flexible, and budget-friendly catering for every occasion.
buffet

Food Works by KaJo was started in 2023, when owners Kate Marrs and Jody Warnock decided to apply their combined 25+ years in hospitality to a new venture.

“We both love to cook and create,” says Kate. Their catering company’s aim is to to bring a style of catering that’s “a little bit unique” to Barrie and the surrounding areas.

Food Works by KaJo is a full-service, mobile caterer. They have a full commercial kitchen at their space on Currie Street in Barrie, but are able to cook anywhere and everywhere with their mobile setup. As Jody puts it, “We can literally create a roast beef dinner in the middle of a field.”

Although some caterers tend to have fixed offerings, Kate and Jody pride themselves on offering a flexible menu, working in conjunction with their clients to deliver what’s suitable to their needs. They value being price-competitive, and work within their clients’ budgets.

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One of the ways in which Food Works by KaJo cooks on the go is with the open-flame, charcoal-based Alchemy Grill that they acquired last year. They are able to bring barbecues on site, and will be utilizing this option come summertime. Jody has already been testing it out, cooking smash burgers and fajitas with his homemade rubs. The grill will be used to do “flame-to-table” cooking for events.

The business also operates an event space in Horseshoe Valley called Valley Croft Event Centre, a scenic barn that fits up to 150 people. Valley Croft is available for all types of events, from weddings to corporate events to celebrations of life. It’s a seasonal space, available for rental from May—October.

At their Currie Street space, Food Works by KaJo offers daily pick-up lunch specials.  The menu is posted weekly on their website, and includes authentic Italian pizza, Cubano sandwiches and weekly features. They are also planning on expanding their offerings in 2025 to include ready-to-serve meals and meal kits that customers can order in advance and pick up for home. Some of their customers’ favourite dishes include their lasagnas, brisket, ribs, and tacos. Picking up from Kate and Jody is a healthier alternative to Taco Bell— they freshly prepare the meats and vegetables, and always use real cheeses.

Kate and Jody use locally-sourced products every chance they can get, from businesses like Fox’s Bakery & Deli in Barrie, and farmers like The Fifty Acre Garden in Oro-Medonte. Kate moved to Barrie in 2003, and has seen the area grow and change over the years. She has found the Barrie business community to be extremely supportive of each other, and the new faces have brought even more opportunities to collaborate with other businesses. 

“In Barrie, you’re always meeting new people,” says Kate. 

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In addition to supporting fellow local businesses, Kate and Jody have supported local causes like Big Brothers Big Sisters, holiday toy drives, food drives, and hockey teams.

As the duo gears up for a new year of cooking and creating, Kate looks forward to the customers they’ll get to work with in 2025.

“There’s a nice sense of accomplishment knowing that you’ve played a part in making someone’s celebration fun. You’ve made them happy.”

For more information or to book Food Works by KaJo, visit here. Follow KaJo on Instagram and Facebook at @Kajofoodworks