The merger of Cooks of Crocus Hill and Bellecour Bakery, known as Cooks | Bellecour, is expanding its culinary ventures with the launch of a catering business. As more companies return to in-person work, the new catering arm aims to serve breakfast and lunch for groups of 10 or more, providing a fresh way for businesses to come together over shared meals.
The catering service will be available for a range of events, including corporate meetings, office gatherings, and celebrations. This marks an exciting new chapter for the company, which is tapping into demand for high-quality food at work-related events.
Catering to Corporate Needs
The concept for the new catering arm emerged from the increasing shift back to in-person workplaces. Co-owner Karl Benson explained that the idea is to create opportunities for businesses to connect through food rather than through traditional meeting formats.
“We want people to build teams and camaraderie in the kitchen and around the dinner table, rather than the conference room,” Benson shared.
Cooks | Bellecour’s focus on building community through food aligns with trends in corporate team-building activities, where shared experiences over meals foster better collaboration and communication. Benson added that the catering business is also an opportunity to “share the love and expand our reach.”
Diversifying Beyond Retail
Cooks | Bellecour has been steadily working to diversify revenue streams beyond its origins as a retail-focused business. In addition to the new catering service, the company operates:
- A cafe
- A cookware store
- Cooking classes and events
Benson noted that the three existing business lines have performed steadily, but diversifying became essential to avoid reliance on seasonal retail performance.
“So much of this diversity has been driven by our attempts to offset the realities of having started as a retail-focused business,” Benson said.
He also emphasized the cyclical nature of the company’s offerings, explaining that each business unit plays a unique role throughout the year. By building multiple streams of revenue, Cooks | Bellecour ensures greater stability and flexibility.
A New Direction for Internal Growth
According to Benson, the launch of the catering arm offers more than just business expansion—it represents a chance for the team to grow and develop their skills in new ways.
“This is all internal growth,” he said. “We are fortunate that this is a chance for our current team to stretch their wings. To push and to grow. To apply their talents in a new direction.”
The catering business not only enhances the company’s offerings but also allows staff to take on new challenges, contributing to their professional development. With its roots in both retail and experiential services, Cooks | Bellecour continues to evolve and adapt to meet new demands.
