GATHERINGS LAUNCH

GATHERINGS

Our goal is to launch GATHERINGS in the local year-round farmers’ markets. Your help would be much appreciated!

Some of you have asked for a link to go directly to the rewards page right away! Here is the link...

https://www.gofundme.com/GATHERINGS_LAUNCH/donate 

Who?
James Condon has spent most of his career in the Media & Entertainment industry.

During my career, I have traveled extensively around the country and abroad working with Fortune 500 companies, working during the day and entertaining clients in the evening. I had the opportunity to eat at some of the best eateries in the country, both large and small. My strategy was to befriend the owner and kitchen staff to get great service and access to the good stuff.

This culinary experience expanded my appreciation for good food. I befriended many chefs to learn about their cooking techniques and recipes. I would test these out at home. My memorable experiences include the New York steak with mole sauce at Javier's, the oysters and boiled shrimp at Aw Shucks, both in Dallas, TX, Sunday sauce at Cesca in New York City, mushroom bird’s nest at Crofton on Wells in Chicago, IL, Franklin's BBQ in Austin, TX, the most amazing asparagus w/prosciutto in red hollandaise sauce in Berlin, DE, white sausage on Sunday morning in Munich, DE, stuffed roasted red pepper with black squid on a beach in Biarritz, FR, tapas in San Sebastien, ES, and scores of others.

For the last sixteen years, we raised three boys in our house on Mercer Island. During this time, I have been cooking for the boys and their groups of 10-20 friends every night. I’ve been testing and perfecting our cooked meat recipes along with building awesome sauces to accompany them. Our sons have grown up and moved on to college and beyond. On numerous occasions, people have told me I have a god-given talent and that I should pursue my passion, which is cooking good food for people to enjoy.

So here I am. I have the ability to create good food for the masses, and I need your help to take the next steps.


What?
We are launching GATHERINGS, a food service, and catering company focused on cooked meats with the accompanying homemade sauces and comfort food sides.

We are dedicated to sourcing the highest quality local ingredients in Washington State. In the short term, we will have a menu centered on BBQ and MEATBALLS with an emphasis on the complementary sauces and stick-to-your-ribs sides.

We will expand the menu with rotating daily specials and seasonal specialties as the year unfolds. All of our BBQ cooked meat is wood-fired on an offset Texas smoker. All of our MEATBALLS and SAUCES are homemade with local ingredients.

Our quality is embedded in the process we have utilized in developing our recipes through trial and error, and sourcing the finest local ingredients to test them on a willing and able crowd.

Sample menu:




Where?

Firstly, we will distribute our food through mobile food stands within our local farmers’ market community, including Mercer Island and the Greater Seattle area, serving fresh meals accompanied by our renowned sauces and stick-to-your-ribs sides. Three products will be presented: fresh, frozen, and packaged goods to take home.

Secondly, we will expand our offering through local delivery and pick-up. Currently, we deliver on Mercer Island, and we will expand to the Greater Seattle area. During this phase, we will also build out mobile trailers to establish permanence on corporate campuses and city access points.

In parallel, we will launch our website with the ability to order online. This will eventually include our sauces and other products to be distributed nationwide.

WHY?
The timing is right. We feel like this is the next step for our family. 

Our goal is to launch GATHERINGS this March to the local year-round farmers’ markets.

We worked hard to source local, quality, fresh ingredients. We have a solid engine room and BBQ pit for producing quality cooked meats and sauces. With the support of our family and friends, we are confident that we will bring a concept and service to our community that does not currently exist here.

Please see the reward levels below the photo of the slow-roasted pork.

We appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you!

$$$

How will we use the money? This money will be used in the following ways:

1.  Tools - $1500

2.  Steam table (used)- $900

3.  Stainless NSF cooler racks and tables $1200

4.  Food Tent Counter Top tables - $1000

5.  Food Tent Commercial (Fire Certified) - $2016

6.  Alto Shaam cook, hold, smoke (used) $3895

7.  Blackstone Griddle 36” - $1200            

8.  Initial inventory- $3500