Creating Gourmet Food

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 26, 2015

The origins of Tate and Tate Catering — a Central Oregon treasure since 2000 — are grounded in serving others. Well known for giving generously to support community organizations, the very beginnings of the business owned by George and Barbara Tate reflects their commitment to providing sustenance to those in need.

The couple, originally from Redmond, returned to the area in 1990. Having grown up in the restaurant business in Redmond — his parents purchased the old ‘86 Corral Club in 1952 when he was just six months old — George stepped right back into a familiar role in the community upon his return when he assisted in opening a local restaurant.

Word soon got out that George was back in town and the couple began to receive calls from classmates whose parents were housebound but loved good food. They responded by delivering gourmet meals.

“One of our favorite stories is how in the beginning we would load up a three-course meal on a teak tray and put it in the back of our Ford Thunderbird and deliver it to one of our shut-in guests, Phyllis Toevs,” said Barbara. “We always stayed for a visit for at least half an hour and talk about the old days and people that she and George knew in common. It was a very precious time and when she died, Wednesdays weren’t the same for quite a while.”

It is this personal approach to caring for others through the gourmet foods they create that characterizes Tate and Tate and sets them apart from others. In addition to a fine attention to detail in their catering and retail business areas, Tate and Tate contributes to a variety of local organizations, often offering gift certificates to silent auctions for area nonprofits, supplying edibles for events at significantly reduced costs and supporting the Jericho Table program of Jericho Road, a Redmond nonprofit dedicated to providing housing and meals to those in need.

The Jericho Table program found itself in dire straights late last year when the source they were obtaining food from significantly raised their prices, effectively shuttering their meal program.

“Tate and Tate stepped forward and offered to provide us hot meals for a reduced rate, lower than they would normally charge,” said John Smallwood, Jericho Table administrator and Jericho Road board member. “They are providing us with meals that are much better in quality and quantity than we ever had before.”

Smallwood said that because the food that Tate and Tate provides is of greater quantity and at such a low cost, the program is now able to afford to feed more people than it could previously and the response from those served has been enthusiastic. Several months ago many of the meal recipients got together and created a homemade thank you card, which was then presented to Tate and Tate. Smallwood calls George and Barbara Tate a “huge blessing.”

“Tate and Tate has bent over backward helping our meal program and we cannot thank them enough,” said Smallwood. “There are no words that can express adequately the impact this food is having in helping people in our community. They saved our meal program.”

Also blessed by the Tate’s generosity, Redmond’s BrightSide Animal Center benefits from the leftover goodies from events.

“Tate and Tate has long been a supporter of BrightSide,” said Sana Hayes, event director and volunteer coordinator for the organization. “They save leftover meat and some vegetables from their catering events and refrigerate it until they can bring it to our shelter.”

The staff at the animal center freeze the food, and later heating it up with white rice for the afternoon meal fed to the dogs each day.

“For the animals, this contribution means extra nutrition, tastier meals and an enticement for frightened dogs to eat,” said Hayes. “For the staff, knowing we have such creative and thoughtful community support for our dogs means the world to us and helps keep morale up in a job that is often challenging both physically and emotionally.”

The BrightSide staff is so grateful to Tate and Tate that they consider them part of their team, said Hayes.

“We love living in Central Oregon and feel honored by the fact that so many people support what we do,” said Barbara. “There are so many worthy organizations in our community to support.”

George and Barbara were high school sweethearts who reconnected at their 20th high school reunion. Owning a business together now has its challenges for the couple, but their commitment to the community and to each other is strong.

“We have a deep and abiding love and respect for each other,” said Barbara. “It’s not always easy, but as long as we remain on the same page, and sometimes the same book, it seems to work.”

Tate and Tate Catering began humbly out of the couple’s home kitchen, later moving into their two-car garage, which had been remodeled into a catering kitchen. The company now has retail (grab and go) locations in Redmond at 1205 SW Indian Ave., and at Northwest Crossing in Bend. Both retail locations feature rotating weekly menus with lunch and dinner options, including nearly 30 specialty ready-to-serve “family style” casseroles for up to 10 guests, a variety of individual entrees (requires 24-hour pre-order), salads and desserts.

They are perhaps best known for their catering services, providing edibles for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, brunches, luncheons and individual home delivery throughout Central Oregon. In fact, Tate and Tate Catering recently expanded their catering division to the old Fountains building in Redmond to take advantage of the larger space and easy access to Highway 97 and their growing list of clients.

The Tates attribute their success to their loyal employees and to the Central Oregon community, Redmond in particular.

“Redmond is affordable and very friendly,” said Barbara. “It is home for George, and his mom lives just down the street from us. It suits our temperaments and life-style.”

The Tate’s grounded approach is reflected in their quiet contributions to the community they love, and in their humble reflections on their growth over the years.

“We are very grateful for the abundant support that the Central Oregon community has given our business,” said Barbara. “We truly appreciate it.”