Green Bay Reporter

The Black Orchid Catering, a boutique catering company based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has been serving clients since May 2023. Specializing in private events such as intimate dinners, weddings, corporate gatherings, and milestone celebrations, the company emphasizes made-from-scratch dishes tailored to each event. "We don’t do pre-packaged meals," they state. Among their popular menu items are herb roasted chicken with house coconut cream sauce, loaded sweet corn dip, honey BBQ meatballs, and charcuterie spreads.

The founders of The Black Orchid Catering cite personal history and cultural influences from Nigeria, Malaysia, and the Midwest as central to their culinary approach. They identified a gap in the catering market for food that is both personal and memorable yet approachable. "Sharing food has always been a way for us to express care," they explained.

Their journey as business owners has involved hands-on learning and growth while managing all aspects of the business themselves. "What has surprised us the most is how much goes into the business beyond cooking," they noted. Despite challenges like scheduling and cost management, they have found empowerment in building their venture from scratch.

Rewarding moments include client satisfaction and successfully catering large events such as a wedding for 300 people with a small team. Challenges involve balancing business demands with maintaining personal well-being. Initially saying yes to everything led to burnout; now they focus on being selective to maintain high service standards.

The founders credit their mother as their most influential figure: "She’s the foundation of everything we do." Her involvement at every event provides grounding and consistency.

Looking ahead, The Black Orchid Catering aims to deepen client connections through curated menus and possibly establishing a dedicated space for events. They also hope to share more of their story through food-related projects.

Community members interested in booking an event can connect via Instagram or Facebook or reach out through their website by appointment only.