The name of the business comes from Bear’s maiden name and she is using it as a way to honor her father, who died 10 years ago. The business, headquartered in her home, will bring a new type of culinary experience to Marshalltown. She will primarily focus on outdoor cooking and seasonal Iowa foods, including clients in the process of creating.
“This will bring a different aspect of food,” Bear said. “We don’t have a place focusing on soul food or historical African food and where it comes from. I’m excited to bring this new branch.”
Bear has it set that if potential clients want to hire her to cater a party or event, she will sit down with them and determine the wants, any dietary restrictions and figure out what is in season at the time. After that initial meeting, Bear will be able to create the meal, spread or snacks to cultivate unique experiences.
She is also not afraid to showcase thinking outside of the box. Bear hosted a “Lord of the Rings” gathering for Christmas and made lembas – an Elven bread featured in the book and movie trilogy. In “The Fellowship of the Ring” movie, Legolas tells the hobbits one small bite would fill the stomach of a grown man.
“That was such an experience to make this thing that technically doesn’t exist,” she said, laughing at the memory. “It was so fun, and I really want to cultivate things like that. I’m not afraid to try something new for someone. If something is awful, we will figure it out and try it again. Like the lembas. The first time it was low in moisture. We redid it and it ended up being so good. It’s a science, an experience and it’s fun.”
Not taking orders yet, Crowley’s Kitchen will have its debut at The Faery Experience: An Immersive Fantasy Retreat at Windy Goat Acres in Chelsea on Aug. 24. There, Bear will serve alcoholic beverages such as The Fairy Godmother made of rum with notes of lemon, pear and raspberry.
She plans to start with smaller catering events, as she would like to hire one person to help in the Kitchen. At least in the beginning.
“I’d like to test it out and see how it goes,” she said. “Maybe you just need a break and don’t want to cook dinner. I want to be the person you call when you need that break. I’ll bring you good vibes and make you some good food.”
Bear will draw on her varied experience in the food industry to operate the business. She has worked as a bartender, manager, a food server and in kitchens.
“I feel I have perfected my craft over my lifetime,” Bear said. “I’m excited to share some yummy and intentional food with people.”
Because of the focus Crowley’s Kitchen will have on seasonal food and outdoor cooking, it will be closed during the winter months.
“It’s not comfortable to cook outdoors in the Iowa winter,” Bear said, laughing. “We might get some beautiful winter weather, and it might not be too chilly. But if it is, I don’t want to be sitting out there and making the food.”
A lover of “cottage goods,” she also plans on bringing some of her wares, such as homemade jams and syrups, to farmers markets.
“There’s just so much fun in cooking, and so much community,” Bear said. “Food is such a universal language. I’m just excited. I love to cook, share things and host. I want to bring a genuine experience to people, and they get to enjoy it. Maybe they learn something new and make amazing memories.”
BUSINESS INFORMATION
For people interested in booking Crowley’s Kitchen for upcoming events, Bear said the best way to establish contact is through the business’ Facebook Messenger.