- November 23, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
I have written countless times about how my culinary curiosity comes from my mom and grandma. As I meet and talk to more people throughout the community, I am learning that for most people passionate about food, that passion stems from family.
For Bob Franks, it was his mother, who worked in the food service industry. He started at an early age making breakfast for his parents and pitching in with dinner.
“It’s in my blood,” he said.
Out of high school, he got a national culinary apprenticeship, which allowed him to learn the finer points of the industry.
Although he started working in a field other than cooking (celebrating his 30th year at Sunbelt Chemicals this month), Franks never got too far away from cooking. He caters parties for friends and hosts food-centered parties for every occasion.
One of the occasions Franks was dedicated to making good food at was the local Relay for Life survivor dinner. He got involved in Relay for Life 17 years ago, right after his father died. A few years later, he became a cancer survivor himself. Now, a three-time cancer survivor, he is known as the King of Relay, and pulls out all the stops to give the survivors a nice night out — and a delicious dinner.
One year, Jeff Whitefield, who played on Franks’ softball team, volunteered to help with the dinner. From there, a partnership was formed and, a few years later, Oceanshore Custom Catering was born.
“Our catering business is not just about food,” Franks said. “We feel that a lot of people can cook food and cook food well, but what we do is go out and meet with people.”
The duo does not have set menus. Instead, they want their clients to tell them what they like to eat, and they will arrange the menu around the people and the event.
Franks said they don’t have a specialty, but for years, everyone has wanted him to make barbecue for them, which he admits is his favorite. And I can speak from experience that it is delicious.
But from a dish standpoint, Franks said the team is very versatile, making everything from classic dishes down to burgers and dogs.
The catering company has a website, but the duo prefers to use social media.
Visit www.facebook.com/OceanshoreCustomCatering to contact them about their delicious food.
