“I never pictured myself doing this,” said Trish Samsa, owner and founder of Southern Bear Catering, “Never in a million years did I picture I’d be where I am today.”
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and restaurants shut down, Samsa was forced out of her bartending career. As she went through the motions like we all did, a vision came to her out of the blue. After throwing a small Memorial Day weekend get-together, a close friend planted the seed that would quickly change the course of her career.
“You should really do something with this food!” her friend insisted.
That’s when the magic happened, and it all started with one Facebook post. What would become Southern Bear Catering, named for a beloved pet, was born.
“A lot of families were still vacationing on Folly Beach,” Samsa recalled. “I started posting things on Facebook for family food and delivery because nobody was going to restaurants. It took off like a rocket ship; it was crazy!”
Two to three weeks later, she received her first inquiry for a wedding. Since that moment, her menu has become a staple for everyone who is looking to enjoy the beauty of the Lowcountry’s natural scenery as their wedding venue. After all, a Lowcountry wedding just isn’t complete without the full Southern hospitality experience.
“This is what I’ve been brought up on — entertaining and Southern hospitality at its finest,” she said.
Practically everything found on the Southern Bear menu was passed down for generations.
“My mom cooked, so everything I cook is family recipes,” she added.
For Samsa and her tight-knit crew, every wedding is a blank canvas. And that’s just one aspect that sets her apart from other catering companies.
“We don’t just bring a blank tablecloth. Every wedding is custom and unique. From the start, we treat it like we’re all family,” she explained, “We even help people put together their menus. If someone tells me, ‘we like this and that,’ then I help craft a menu for them with other items that pair well.”
Though each wedding is different, it’s a Lowcountry favorite that’s the most popular menu item: shrimp and grits.
“I always use local shrimp straight from James Island and Bulls Bay,” Samsa said. “We’ve won awards for this dish, along with awards for the Charleston-style gravy we make!”
Other popular menu items include Samsa’s pop-in-your-mouth chicken and waffles, savory Lowcountry boil, Charleston red rice, classic macaroni and cheese and the slap-yo-mama banana pudding.
For more information, visit southernbearcatering.com, or call 803-795-3558.
By Deborah Sledziona
