Welcome to Chestnut Ridge’s Vendor Highlights. Each month we’ll share the story of one of our trusted vendors to showcase their outstanding business and help you select the right teams for your special day. Chestnut Ridge is proud to partner with a number of chosen vendors who are experts in their field, all with the goal of making your day as perfect and memorable as possible.

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The perfect wedding cuisine: it’s what your guests will gather around once they’ve witnessed your love and commitment, and not only should it be delicious, it should represent you.

Fortunately, Corey Marino, an Asheville-based chef and entrepreneur, has centered her life’s work around just that – creating customized, delectable meals for the most important day of people’s lives. Formally trained in culinary arts at the prestigious Johnson and Wales University, Corey also brings 15 years’ experience in the food and beverage industry to her own business, having worked as a chef at Asheville’s very own Grove Park Inn.

Four years ago Corey officially opened Catering by Corey with a simple mission – sharing her love of food and hospitality with others. Corey prides herself on every bite, striving for every dish to be one that you can’t stop eating and for her team’s customer service to be more than you could envision. 

“I love food and people,” says Corey. “I thoroughly enjoy working closely with my clients in all stages: menu development, tastings, site visits, and being there on their big day.”

And being there on your big day is something Corey and her team take very seriously, offering a commitment to clients to be constantly focused on service that exceeds expectation throughout the wedding.

Along with that Southern hospitality comes a delightfully-customizable, fairly-priced Southern menu. Catering by Corey specializes in upscale Southern food, but don’t let this fool you – clients are offered an array of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.

Always focused on working with clients to customize their perfect menu, Corey’s menu is a la carte, allowing her customer the opportunity to create a meal they will never forget, from start to finish. Clients can select appetizers ranging from a fruit and cheese display to tangy Appalachian egg roll filled with tender pulled pork, a local legacy in itself. Corey’s entrees feature options like the Southern classics shrimp and grits or smoked gouda mac ‘n cheese, everyone’s favorites like filet mignon, BBQ baby back ribs, or slow roasted pulled pork, and gourmet-style vegetarian dishes like stuffed acorn squash or bruschetta tofu. And the sides for these mouth-watering dishes are no less delectable, with a choice between things like peas and prosciutto, creamy wild mushroom risotto, and squash casserole with black pepper bacon.

Corey creates dishes based on foods people love, but with a twist that makes them stand out. 

“I love creating meals that are familiar yet elevated,” Corey says. “We work with clients to create a perfectly-suited menu for their wedding day.” 

A favorite appetizer Corey loves to make for weddings or events around the holidays is pickled grapes. She was kind enough to share her recipe for us all to enjoy.

Pickled Grapes

1 pound seedless red grapes, washed and de-stemmed

1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons Chinese Five Spice

Remove stems from grapes and then place grapes into a glass Tupperware container or large Mason jar.

Combine vinegar, water, sugar, and Chinese five spice in a saucepan; bring to a boil and stir. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and cool for 15 minutes.

Carefully pour cooled liquid over grapes; refrigerate 1 day before eating.

Catering by Corey embodies what many people only dream will happen when selecting a caterer for their wedding, marrying together excellent customer service with unbelievably delicious food. 

Chestnut Ridge is proud to feature Catering by Corey as our preferred catering vendor. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Chestnut Ridge since both of our companies hold the same high standards of excellence in what we do,” says Corey. “We both adore Southern hospitality and together can create a setting of wonderful food and stellar service.”

To check out Corey’s full menu, learn more about her business, and read clients’ stunning reviews, visit her website here.