Daniel’s Gourmet Kosher Catering has new owners

THE NAME IS STAYING the same, but Daniel’s Gourmet Kosher Catering has new owners: Chef Rose Forrest and her business partner, Idan Terezi, who will officially take over the catering business around the first week in July.

Daniel “Dani” Alon will be going back to Israel, where he intends to work with one of the best-known caterers in Tel Aviv, with plans to open his own catering business in Ashkelon.

For Alon, it was important to leave his catering business, which he established in 2002, in very good hands. “I had three different offers to buy the business, but I chose Rose, because I feel very comfortable with her continuing my catering business,” Daniel said. “I know her style, she is a great chef with good taste, and she is very experienced with kosher cooking.”

According to Alon, Forrest has often worked with him in his kitchen over the last few years.

Forrest, who worked for five years as the catering chef at Brown University and currently serves as the regional supervisor for Aramark, says that she will be keeping much of the same menu, working out of the same location on Camp Street in Providence. The phone number will remain the same (401-726-0197), but Forrest plans to add a 1-800 number. “I think Dani has established a great relationship with the community; I plan to build on that.”

Terezi, her business partner, has a strong background in marketing, and will assist her in defining new opportunities in the marketplace to grow the business.

According to Forrest, she expects to expand the menu, do Shabbat menus for families, creating more of a family-oriented business. She also says she is planning to do cooking classes with young women and young men, based upon her experiences of teaching similar classes at Brown.

Her plans include a modernization of the menu, according to Forrest, which will include “healthier options, more locally grown produce, more organic vegetables.” In addition, Forrest plans to redo the web site, and to expand the reach of the catering business into parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The focus on a more family-oriented business, according to Forrest, is driven in part by marketing research. “Today, because everyone’s very busy, it’s easier to have a great kosher meal dropped off, so there is more time to spend with your family,” she said.

The hekshering of the catering business will continue to be under the strict supervision of the Vaad Hakashruth of Rhode Island, with a mashgiach tmidi present at all times.

Daniel said he is not disappearing from the catering scene; he said he expects to work with Rose in the future. “If someone wants to have a celebration in Israel, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, I can help put together a package deal,” he said. Already, Daniel said he has two functions booked.