Back in the winter of 2004, after a long day of snowboarding at Sunday River my husband Paul and I stopped in for a beer and a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Although the service was fine, I was amazed to discover what the restaurant passed off as food. Not only was it bad in quality, but the prices were outrageously high. It was this experience that has motivated me to found my own establishment. Being an Executive Chef, I wanted to make available to you the type of cuisine that can truly be called gourmet. Paul and I have spent years building this, and we are so proud to bring to you Gourmet in a Pinch. We hope you enjoy our creations as much as we love making them!
We wto offer a superior customer experience through quality products and client relationships. We provide great food with a clean work environment, spacious parking, a unique menu, attention to detail, and committed team eager to educate our customers about the quality food we sell.
Owned and Operated by an Executive Chef with a strong passion for culinary cuisine and a Six Sigma Expert Blackbelt with a strong background in lean and agile operating plans and processes.
Paul and I built our home and have been living in beautiful Bethel, Maine for years now. We take as much pride in our community as we do in our company. We live, work and play in the great state of Maine. In our spare time Paul and I love to ski and snowboard during the winter months and hike and bike during the summers. We'll see you on the trails! You may even see Paul ripping it up on his kiteboard in some winter potato field or local pond.
Highlights and features
- Catering - Weddings, Outdoor events, Buffetstyle, Gourmet, Spirits, Special Functions, Wine and Beer
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Services
Western Maine's Full Service Catering Solution with High Top Tension Tents and Party Rentals as well as a Full Service Bar. Chef Charisa has simplified the wedding planning process by offering a Deluxe Gourmet in a Pinch Catering Food Package for guest sizes ranging from 25 to 200 for a $40 per person value.
We now offer special event catering with our 24 foot enclosed Mobile Kitchen Trailer. We expanded our capabilities as a Full Service Party and Tent Rental Service to leverage efficiencies with a single point of contact for maximum customer satisfaction. Our recent acquisition of the 1888 Wedding Ceremony Barn and Reception Banquet Hall in Bethel, Maine can accommodate up to 180 valued guests.
A blend of yellow rice, fresh diced white meat chicken and Andouille sausage infused with a blend of fresh herbs, coated in shredded phyllo and crushed spices. Baquette, tomato, artichoke, garlic, basil, minced scallion, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and shredded parmesan cheese. Fresh broccoli, carrots, red pepper, cucumber, celery and grape tomatoes, served with a spinach herb dip.
Spend more time experiencing the natural beauty of Maine and less wasted time shopping and cooking! At Gourmet in a Pinch, we believe that superior ingredients is the foundation for a well prepared meal. Our appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts are meticulously prepared by our skilled culinary staff so that you can enjoy a delicious meal without the fuss and mess of cooking.
People
Gourmet in a Pinch - Bethel's Catering Headquarters for Prepared Food to Go
Chef Charisa graduated with a culinary associates degree from Newbury College in Brookline, Mass in 1986. She was the first female chef at the distinguished Giacomos in the North End of Boston. She is traditionally French trained with a strong background and experience with Italian Tuscan cuisine. Her culinary passion transforms classic dishes into healthy alternatives while maintaining strong ties to efficient food service production. She has performed a variety of food service roles and responsibility throughout the California and New York area.
Reviews (5)
Megan O'Brien
Jun 20, 2019
Sue Shannon
Dec 21, 2014
This team recently catered my daughters wedding, it was a weekend event, so they provided us with brunch, barbeque, breakfast and the wedding dinner. To say they were wonderful is an understatement. THe food was excellent, the homemade delights pleased all taste buds, every one of our 190 guests were pleased. Their staff was super nice to all of us, they were neat, clean and very efficient. I would highly recommend this business.
Roger Beaudoin
I recently hired Gourmet in a Pinch to prepare a selection of foods for my wife's 40th birthday
celebration.Charisa and Paul put together a terrific menu, prepared the food equisitely and Charisa professionally served her delicious creations on site. We received rave reviews and many compliments on Gourmet in a Pinch. Our guests all
asked if they could take some leftovers home.The Creampuffs were an especially sought after treat. Working with Charisa and Paul was a pleasure and they made the party worry-free
so we could focus on celebrating. Thanks Charisa and Paul.
celebration.Charisa and Paul put together a terrific menu, prepared the food equisitely and Charisa professionally served her delicious creations on site. We received rave reviews and many compliments on Gourmet in a Pinch. Our guests all
asked if they could take some leftovers home.The Creampuffs were an especially sought after treat. Working with Charisa and Paul was a pleasure and they made the party worry-free
so we could focus on celebrating. Thanks Charisa and Paul.
Bonnie Pooley
Chris D.
Curated beer & wine selection along with gourmet prepared meals, snacks, deserts
and dishes - all prepared onsite by Chef Charisa in a brand new kitchen. Joins the small list
of places in the Bethel / Sunday River area offering really good prepared food for people
wanting to take snacks, deserts or dishes home to serve. The menu advertises a soon-to-exist drive through window as well which should be
interesting.
This business just opened up in a new commercial business building along Route 2 - it sits
between the town of Bethel and the access road to Sunday River so it's got a prime location. We found this place right before Christmas eve, they had been open for a very short time and
did not have their sign up outside yet. The owners are nice and seem incredibly enthusiastic
about this new business. Been back twice and have sampled a number of beers, deserts and
entrees.
Favorites so far:
- cod cakes
- sausage bread
- Sweet & White Gratin potatoes
We bought but have not tasted yet the Tiramesu and some tasty looking white chocolate &
raspberry truffles.
Prices are not particularly cheap and I could see it getting pretty expensive to do a full on
family meal with all the fixin's here but the food speaks for itself and the result is totally
worth it. Great choice for a small gourmet home meal or maybe larger groups looking to add
a few apps, dishes or desserts to their evening plans.
and dishes - all prepared onsite by Chef Charisa in a brand new kitchen. Joins the small list
of places in the Bethel / Sunday River area offering really good prepared food for people
wanting to take snacks, deserts or dishes home to serve. The menu advertises a soon-to-exist drive through window as well which should be
interesting.
This business just opened up in a new commercial business building along Route 2 - it sits
between the town of Bethel and the access road to Sunday River so it's got a prime location. We found this place right before Christmas eve, they had been open for a very short time and
did not have their sign up outside yet. The owners are nice and seem incredibly enthusiastic
about this new business. Been back twice and have sampled a number of beers, deserts and
entrees.
Favorites so far:
- cod cakes
- sausage bread
- Sweet & White Gratin potatoes
We bought but have not tasted yet the Tiramesu and some tasty looking white chocolate &
raspberry truffles.
Prices are not particularly cheap and I could see it getting pretty expensive to do a full on
family meal with all the fixin's here but the food speaks for itself and the result is totally
worth it. Great choice for a small gourmet home meal or maybe larger groups looking to add
a few apps, dishes or desserts to their evening plans.