History
The Gourmet Vendor Inc. is an originator in catering. Using "Hot Dog
Styled" pushcarts, The Gourmet
Vendor caters many different foods for all
occasions (see our large list of foods and carts on our menu
page). The Gourmet Vendor is known as "The carts that cater"
which cater private and corporate parties, grand openings, special events,
charity events, and have appeared in TV commercials, just to name a few.
From 1983, their beginning, to today, The Gourmet Vendor has become Philadelphia's
largest, and the United States' biggest, Cart Catering Company.
The Gourmet Vendor Inc. was created in April of 1983. Owner and operator
Brad Orenstein began his journey in Hot Dog Cart catering while a student
at Drexel University. The business started as a part time operation for
extra money. With all his savings from his Bar Mitzvah, after school jobs,
and the help of his parents, Brad began his journey into the "World
of Wienies" as he describes it. Brad's mission has always been
the same, "We may do many parties and events, but for the client, this
is their "one" party or event. We must treat every job as if it were our
own". This is why every client of The Gourmet Vendor, speaks with Brad
personally about the affair or event. Brad graduated from Drexel University
in 1986 with a dual degree in Accounting and Finance. He worked in accounting
for several years; however he finally left the field to pursue The
Gourmet Vendor full time. To date he has even earned a Masters
Degree. When asked what he does for a living, he says he is a Hot Dog Vendor.
Even when his children are asked what daddy does at work, they say, "My
dad is a Hot Dog Vendor." Brad is very happy being a Hot Dog Vendor.
The Gourmet Vendor Inc.'s
first actual catering job came on June 3, 1983. The event was a 70th birthday
party and thrown by the man's children. They told Brad that every year
they would take their father to a nice Philadelphia restaurant and at the
end of the evening he would say, "I would have been happy with a Hot Dog
from a Street Cart." That is what he had for his 70th birthday, an authentic
street pushcart with hot dogs, pretzels and more.
With each year in business, The Gourmet
Vendor Inc. continued to grow with more and more satisfied
customers. In early 1997, The Gourmet Vendor
Inc. bought out its competitor Street Corner Cuisine.
Brad and The Gourmet Vendor are always striving for perfection. This is
what makes The Gourmet Vendor Inc.
so in a crowd. As the years have passed by The
Gourmet Vendor has worked with many of the area's top catering
companies. We help add the touch of Philly style foods and fun to their
menus. Since we specialize in Cart Catering, many area caterers
like to let us handle this part of the party, when a client requests a
cart at their affair. We also work with the area's social and commercial
Party Planners and Coordinators. If you have attended an event in Philadelphia
which had a cart, there is a good chance it was The
Gourmet Vendor.
Today our goal is simple. We want to provide all of our clients with
the best food and service they are accustomed to having at their party
or event. Brad Orenstein strives for perfection in his company. "We are
a service company." "Our clients use us because we provide excellent, reliable
service, which will never change." Brad is a workaholic at his trade, and
if it was not for the support of his family, he could have never done what
he has done, taking The Gourmet Vendor Inc.
from an idea to a successful catering company.
A NOTE FROM BRAD:
To all my clients, I would like to say thank you and I look forward
to serving your catering needs again soon. To all potential clients, I
hope I can have the opportunity to show you what fun and ease we can bring
to your next party or event.
The Gourmet Vendor Inc
Phone: 215.396.7000
Fax: 215.396.6886
info@gourmetvendor.com
copyright The Gourmet
Vendor Inc. 2002
send comments or suggestions to the webmaster
|