FOOD FEATURE Morton Grove caterer brings homemade passion to party

Robin Hoppenrath. | Contributed photo

Updated: September 10, 2012 6:06AM

MORTON GROVE — From cocktail parties to Bat Mitzvahs to weddings, Classy Cut Catering does it all — and while catering to each customer’s budget.

Robin Hoppenrath is the owner of the catering company at 6028 Dempster St. The business was previously called Nancy S. Watson Cook, Inc. About five years ago Hoppenrath bought the company when the previous owner retired, and three years ago she changed its name.

“I do everything,” Hoppenrath said. “I can do anything and I’ll work with anybody with any kind of budget.”

Classy Cut Catering provides food for large parties, cocktail parties, small private affairs, showers at someone’s home, corporate events, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and weddings.

Hoppenrath has always had a strong passion for cooking. She attended culinary school at Kendall College. After working in an office of a small company she knew that wasn’t for her and catering was what she truly enjoyed doing. Both of her parents worked, so Hoppenrath started cooking dinner at a younger age and she has loved it ever since.

“I really love cooking,” she said. “I just love creating appetizers.”

Classy Cut Catering’s extensive appetizer menu includes zucchini pancakes, asparagus puffed pastry twists with lemon tarragon dip, Tandoori eggplant squares, mini crepes, shrimp in bacon and other creations.

The menu offers a wide variety of entrée options, including roasted salmon with cucumber dill sauce or mango salsa, marinated beef brisket, chicken vesuvio, jambalaya, pesto shrimp and more.

The company also offers a corporate-catering menu and one for real-estate broker’s open house events.

Hoppenrath is truly a one-woman show. She is the only chef at the business, but if she’s in need of an extra hand or two she calls one of her stay-at-home mom friends and they’re right there to assist her.

Hoppenrath said she meets with clients and talks about their likes and dislikes, and they work together to create the best possible menu within their budget. She said she can work around obstacles such as allergies, as well.

Nancy S. Watson Cook, Inc., operated for more than 20 years before Hoppenrath purchased it. Hoppenrath kept the original name for a couple of years because people were familiar with that business. Today’s menu consists of new items and some of Nancy’s longtime favorites — but with Hoppenrath’s own unique twist.

Classy Cut Catering shares a building with a Filipino bakery that also has a retail space.

“The location is great for me,” the Skokie resident. said “I love my neighbors.”

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