Second generation of catering sticks to original recipes

NORTH TONAWANDA - Working as a part-time postal worker and waiter wasn’t quite working anymore for Jack Cohen, original owner of Mr. and Mrs. Catering Service, Inc., based out of North Tonawanda. In 1971, Jack thought he’d try his hand at catering, when a local fire company asked him to cater an even for them.

He loved it, and soon he and his wife, Mary Ann, kicked off their new business from the basement of their Brentwood home.

Their two sons, David and John Cohen, were engrossed in the business from a young age. Although John enjoyed working for his parents, he found more interest in the software side of the business and went on to create the web-based software called, “Total Party Planner,” which launched nationally and is considered one of the top catering software programs in the world.

David developed a passion for the business and after earning a degree from college and working at a few different restaurants, both locally and out-of-state, he came back into the business full time in 1996.

In 2004, Jack and Mary Ann stepped aside and allowed David to run the business. The couple is currently enjoying life living in Las Vegas, and Jack comes back to North Tonawanda a few times a year to help David when it gets busy.

Mr. and Mrs. Catering Service specialize in all sort of different events. They prepare food for drop off events, such as picnics and corporate lunches; communions; weddings, both buffet style and station weddings, where the catering business is prepared with a full staff and more.

“There isn’t much we don’t do,” said David. “We prepare all of our meals fresh, and we can do it quickly.”

Well liked on the menu is chicken cordon bleu, which David rolls with fresh chicken in the kitchen of the North Tonawanda establishment, roast beef, breaded chicken, pork chops and much more.

“Most of our recipes are family recipes, which started with my grandmother and my mom,” said David. “I’ve added some of my own recipes, but the majority of them are from the beginning, when we started 40 years ago.”

David stands behind the recipes and the way the food is prepared and believes longevity in the neighborhood and quality product are a large portion of why the business has been successful.

“Part of the reason we’ve been so successful is because, we’ve been around 40 years. Our food is always fresh and our customers trust us for that,” said David.

In addition to the quality of the food, Mr. and Mrs. Catering Service offer a great price. The business offers a $9.95 per person drop-off buffet, which includes nine items: two meats, four sides, chef salad, jello, and a relish tray.

“We offer one of the best prices in the area,” said David. “There aren’t many other catering services that offer that much food, or choices of food, for that price.”

David spends much of his time in the kitchen, making sure the product offered to his customers is quality. He noted 24 hours notice is more than enough time to prepare for a large party, and can even make it happen with a few hours.

“Cooking for five people is no different than cooking for 100 people,” said David. “You just have to like doing it.”