About Us

“Cooking demands attention, patience, and above all, a respect for the gifts of the earth. It is a form of worship, a way of giving thanks.”

— Judith B. Jones

Fresh Dish Catering is a full-service, professionally run catering company that provides innovative and diverse food services in Saskatoon. All dishes are handmade from scratch, fresh to order. We have extensive experience catering for business meetings and private parties, as well as bridal showers and weddings. Our private chef services are very popular, affording fancy fine dining in the comfort and beauty of your own home. We offer specialty diet menu options including vegan, vegetarian, organic, locally grown, and no gluten added. Additionally, Fresh Dish Catering creates cuisine from all over the world: French, Italian, East Indian, Thai, Japanese, West Coast, and others.

 

At Fresh Dish, our flavours and presentation are one-of-a-kind. From delectable canapés to savoury fish, chicken, pork, beef, pasta and vegetarian/vegan dishes, we serve up tastes to delight anyone’s palate. We are happy to assist with weddings or special events by offering planning information, rental contacts, alcohol ordering support, and more. We can accommodate large size gatherings - up to 250 people. We specialize in versatility, diversity and flexibility. Equally important is our customer service, quality of ingredients, and wide-ranging skills in the catering industry.

 

Fresh Dish Catering operates the kitchen at The Avenue Room - a beautiful, heritage location for weddings, events and business meetings downtown Saskatoon.

PHOTO BY MATT SMITH /Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Owner and Executive Chef
Evelyn Reisner

My passion for food started as a child - both because my mother is a fantastic cook and because I have had the fortune of living in a number of different countries and enjoying a wide variety of cuisines. I have been working in the food industry for many years, and started up Fresh Dish Catering at the end of 2014. I am incredibly proud of our large number of repeat customers; that’s why I’m pouring my heart and soul into this venture!

In 2014, I had the opportunity to study in Italy at ICIF in the Master Course in Italian Cuisine and Oenology. It was wonderful and inspiring! I continue to feature authentic Italian dishes, full four-course meals, and handmade pasta kits as an homage to that wondrous cuisine. 

To sum up my cooking philosophy: Good food is central to cultural and family traditions, and was integral in our family when I was growing up. All of our happiest moments happened around food. From the Italian tradition, food is best in its simplest and purest form; the taste is in the top quality ingredients and careful preparation which respects the integrity of the food. 

We are so lucky to have Chef Tara on board at Fresh Dish. After graduating with Great Distinction from her culinary arts program in 2017, she went on to receive the Garry Sharp Memorial Baking Award that same year. She became a Red Seal Journeyperson in 2018, and was awarded Outstanding New Journey Person for the cook trade from the SK Apprentice & Trade Certificate Commission. Chef Tara has been an integral member of the Fresh Dish team since 2016.

 Awards, Credentials and Experience

Executive Chef Evelyn was co-winner of the Health and Wellness Award for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards, 2009.

Fresh Dish catered for visiting government officials and dignitaries during the 2015 federal election.

 

Fresh Dish Catering (Executive Chef Evelyn) was one of the competing chefs in the 2019 Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, the most respected culinary competition in the country.

Received award for Exemplary Support for the LITE program, and Encouraging an Inclusive Workplace in our Community from the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, 2020.

 

Executive Chef Evelyn is an active board member of the Saskatoon chapter of Slow Food. The movement originated in northern Italy, where Evelyn is from.

 

Community

We partner with SWITCH (Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health) which provides essential services to Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods. We offer any fresh, leftover food to their meals program. 

We also support READ SASKATOON'S annual fundraiser LIT UP! by offering a dinner for auction to raise funds for their important work in literacy.

Environment

All food scraps from our kitchen are given to a local farmer to feed her pigs and chickens. We recycle any recyclable plastics, paper, metal and glass that come into the kitchen. All of our disposable products - napkins, paper plates, cutlery - are biodegradable and/or compostable *. Our pasta kits come in compostable Earth Tray packaging. 

  • Unfortunately our Heat & Serve Meals are not in the biodegradable and/or compostable packaging as it is not quite sturdy enough. However, it is fully recyclable.