Gina’s Catering

To some of us, the ’70s sound like times of antiquity. To others, the ’70s feel like just yesterday, as families sat around the dinner table watching Walter Cronkite deliver the evening news. What is inconceivable to most of us, however, is that until 1974, women in the United States couldn’t apply for credit in their own name unless a male relative co-signed. 

It wasn’t until 1988, only 38 years ago, that Congress passed the Women’s Business Ownership Act which gave women equal access to business capital and ownership rights. In this issue, we celebrate women-owned businesses in Saline County, and one that makes us proud and tantalizes our tastebuds is Gina’s Catering.

For 24 years, Gina Simpson, owner of Gina’s Catering, and her family have called Saline County home. The Simpson family includes Gina’s husband of 37 years, Alan, and their two daughters. Their first daughter Sydney and her husband Justin Harrell have two daughters, Lyla and London. And Gina and Alan’s second daughter, Anna, soon to be married to John Makris, is herself involved in the business.

“Anna works at Gina’s as the Head of Operations. She is the logistical backbone of our company,” according to Gina. Before opening the business, Gina was a stay-at-home mom, but she knew that when it should come time for her life to take a different direction, she wanted to do something that would bring others joy. “My love for cooking started after I got married. I just liked having dinner ready at the end of the day, so I started experimenting. As we moved around with my husband’s job, our friends would always want dinner at our house because I cooked, and it just stuck with me!”

Gina’s Catering is a full-service catering company, offering on-site catering as well as delicious take-out. “We also have Gina’s Grab & Go, which offers customers pre-made, ready-to-reheat options, making mealtime not so hectic,” explains Gina. The menu changes weekly, so your family will enjoy a variety of food options including entrees, sides, salads, and dips. 

Although Gina does not consider the business a bakery, per se, they do have some options to help round out the meal like banana pudding, chocolate lasagna, and some of the best brownies around. 

There are other catering options in our area, and each has its own niche, but Gina’s Catering prides itself in “home cooked” meals. “Whether it’s an elevated beef tenderloin meal or a backyard BBQ meal with chicken strips, we want guests to think it’s better than Grandma’s. Nothing melts my heart more than someone telling me, ‘Don’t tell Grandma, but that was better than hers,’” laughs Gina. 

Obviously, fresh and delicious food is the mainstay of any catering company, but there is more to it than that, much more. “Catering isn’t for just one type of group or event; people need catering during all types of life events, the happy and the sad,” says Gina. When Gina decided to open a catering company in the fall of 2011, she wanted to do it in a way that could help bring a smile to someone’s face, even in the most challenging of circumstances. 

“No matter what type of day someone is having, a delivery of food always makes them smile.” Local Financial Advisor, Andy Garcia, has used Gina’s Catering on numerous occasions. “One of the things I enjoy about Gina’s Catering is not only the high-quality food she provides but also the atmosphere she has created at the storefront. It’s a very professional setting but feels so much like home. The staff is always gracious and makes every effort to make sure the event happens just as the host desires.”

With that same guiding principle of giving to others, Gina’s Catering has established a reputation for being a strong community partner through her support of many Saline County organizations. From working with local schools and sports teams to fundraising for non-profits, helping church groups on special occasions or working alongside professional groups for their awards banquets, Gina’s Catering is there, doing what they love, feeding people and making them smile.

When asked about what advice Gina would give to other women considering opening a business, she responded with this sound advice. “Start by building a strong vision, network for support and encouragement, and be ready to work hard!” 

Another important aspect that Gina stresses is to be authentic and let your individuality shine through, and in the case of Gina’s Catering, the uniqueness is found in the experience you’ll have every time. “When you come to Gina’s, you will be greeted with a smile from someone who is ready to help you find the perfect food needed at that time. We are here to serve the customer and make them excited about the quality, freshness, and love that is put into each dish they are purchasing.” 

For more information about Gina’s Catering, visit their website at ginacaters.com, email grabandgo@ginacaters.com, or call 501-943-7800.