Country Kitchen Catering re-locates to Coaldale

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. LOCAL CATERING COMPANY: Rebecca Hendricks is a co-owner of Country Kitchen Catering in Coaldale and is now providing homemade meals and catering services to Coaldale and area residents.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Coaldale is now home to a Red Seal Chef.
Rebecca Hendricks, 34, is co-owner of Country Kitchen Catering, a business that re-located from Lethbridge to Coaldale this summer and is now providing homemade meals and catering services to Coaldale and area residents. 

Hendricks and her parents, co-owners Todd and Kelly Hendricks, purchased the Lethbridge-based business in 2016 and continue to operate Country Kitchen Catering, along with her partner, fellow co-owner and general manager, Wilko Jansen Van Rensburg.

“The opportunity opened up for the space here (at Civic Square Plaza) – they needed and wanted a caterer in this building because they built it with events in mind,” said Hendricks, noting shortly after moving to Coaldale another opportunity presented itself and the Copper Kettle Cafe was opened.  

The cafe, located in the atrium of Civic Square Plaza, was inspired by Hendricks’ grandmother, who operated a Copper Kettle Tea Room for many years starting in 1999, in Lomond, about 45 minutes North of Coaldale. 

“We took that idea of homemade soups and sandwiches and baking and brought it here and put our own little spin on it and opened the café,” explained Hendricks, pointing to a steady stream of business for both the catering company and the cafe, since moving to Coaldale this year.  

“Everything is going really well. We’re picking up a lot of different, new business. It’s nice to be part of a community,” she added. “In Lethbridge there was none of that community feel – we were in a basement in the middle of Mayor Magrath (Drive) … we didn’t have that community feel but here we have that. We’re starting to get to know people, see familiar faces and getting to know people in town. It’s really nice.” 

In the short time they have been in operation in Coaldale, they have catered several events and functions. As a company, they provide catering services for such things as banquets, funerals, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, office luncheons, Christmas parties, and harvest meals. 

With a passion for cooking in the family, Hendricks decided to attend the culinary (diploma) program at Lethbridge Polytechnic from 2012-2015, where she studied for three years and obtained her Red Seal certification.  

“I liked cooking and liked messing around with different foods and flavours … I always enjoyed it,” said Hendricks, noting her decision to pursue her culinary career. “I went to culinary school and I loved it.” 

While Country Kitchen Catering includes homemade meals for large gatherings, the Copper Kettle Café, which serves soups, salads, fresh sandwiches, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and specialty coffees and desserts, has provided a way for residents and visitors to try some of the company’s food, without having to order large portions for large groups.    

“I like that we get to meet a lot of people in town and people get to try our food without having a large event,” said Hendricks of the newly-opened cafe. 

“We have a trained chocolatier and she does all the desserts from scratch – she is amazing,” Hendricks said of Esra Nale, a certified chocolatier from the Philippines who now lives in Coaldale. 

Hendricks said for both the Country Kitchen Catering and the Copper Kettle Café, they source a lot of their food locally when they are able to and work with area farmers and partner with other local businesses, including the Coaldale Bakery. 

“When we lived in Lomond, we were a farming family. My dad and my grandpa had the farm so we’re big on Alberta beef,” she said, noting the family’s cattle and grain farm. “We have that (farming) background, which is super-important to us.” 

While beef dishes and meals that use quality, AAA Alberta beef are top sellers with Country Kitchen Catering, they also provide a wide selection of menu choices including: beef, chicken, turkey, pork and ham and can provide meals for those with dietary restrictions including vegetarian meals, gluten-free meals and dairy free meals. 

“People tell us what they are (dietary restrictions) and we will make something special for them specifically,” said Hendricks.

As a local catering company, efficiency and top quality have always been key ingredients to their success over the years, as the positive feedback they’ve received from customers demonstrates, with many saying it’s “the best meal they’ve ever had.” 

“We pride ourselves on sourcing the best ingredients and making quality food,” said Hendricks. 

With Country Kitchen Catering and the Copper Kettle Cafe now open and operating in Coaldale, the company continues to focus on improving services and are in the process of finalizing an exciting new feature for Coaldale and area residents to enjoy – freshly made, frozen family meals.   

“(We’ll offer) family-sized meals like lasagna, stroganoff and home-cooked meals. Anything that’s frozen that you can take home and heat up for your family,” she said. 

Hendricks pointed out how happy they are to be in Coaldale and be a part of the community, and are looking forward to an exciting future here. 

“We love the community in Coaldale. It’s got that small town feel, it’s close to the city and it’s growing,” said Hendricks. “It’s a place you should be proud to live in and have a business in. They’re doing amazing things in this town.” 

For more information on Country Kitchen Catering visit http://www.coutnrykitchencatering.ca or visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.