Basket bounty
October 1, 2020
Gathered’s curated collections make preparing gourmet meals a cinch.
by Cathy Martin
These days, more people than ever are strapping on aprons and getting busy in the kitchen. A new delivery service from the team behind Porcupine Provisions is making the job a little easier for at-home chefs. Bruce and Leslie Schlernitzauer started Gathered in early July: Twice a month, they assemble baskets brimming with house-made and regionally sourced ingredients to create a gourmet meal at home. Customers place their order online, and baskets are distributed via contactless delivery.
“Like everybody else, we were trying to figure out a pivot of something to do” after large gatherings — and catering orders — were canceled, Leslie says. The couple has run Porcupine Provisions, a local catering business, since 1999. “We started Gathered as a way to branch out and support other local folks, too.” For every 10 baskets sold, Gathered provides a meal for a local family in need.
A recent barbecue-chicken basket was stocked with Joyce Farms chicken, locally grown cabbage and a slaw recipe, house-made barbecue sauce, house-made cornbread mix, and tongs. Each basket includes a link to a video where Bruce, a Johnson & Wales-trained chef, demonstrates how to prepare the meal.
In August, they decided to make several of the more popular baskets available anytime, so customers can order their favorites whenever they want. A breakfast basket (pictured) filled with local bacon and eggs, house-made bloody mary mix, a house-made scone mix, and Cloister honey, has been a big hit and makes a great housewarming gift, Leslie says. They’ve also introduced meal kits and individual grocery items.
Gathered has become a family affair, with the Schlernitzauers’ two adult daughters, Megan and Grace, managing social media and video production.
Most baskets are priced at $60 and feed two people, but larger baskets are available. SP
gatheredclt.com, Instagram: @gatheredclt
