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Katering Kitchen
Katering Kitchen has been in existence since 1969. The Aossy family owners of Chicken Shop started the catering business location as a separate entity of Chicken Shop to provide catering services to their customers. In 1990 Albert Aossy sold the Katering Kitchen to Richard (Dick) Jordan. Dick ran the catering business until October 1995. Katering Kitchen has since been owned and operated by Alex Hadjis.
Alex Hadjis (Owner/Chef) ©2007
Alex Hadjis is a self-taught chef with 29 years of foodservice experience. Most of his training came from his father, Stavros Hadjis, who spent 16 years as a chef in the Greek Navy during World War II. While growing up Alex's father was the cook in their home and he remembers his father teaching him different techniques of cooking. Alex started his career right out of high school working for his families business, Vernon Inn "The Greek Place" brother, Basil Hadjis and his wife Lynn are currently the owners of the Vernon Inn located at 2663 Mt. Vernon Rd. S. E. in Cedar Rapids, IA. Alex then branched off and went in to foodservice sales and worked for various companies such as Monarch Foods and Kraft Foodservice selling full lines of food items, paper good and equipment to restaurants. Alex also worked as a manufacture representative for the Nissen Meats Co. a small meat processing company in Northwest Iowa, covering the state of Iowa and surrounding states. Since Oct. 10,1995 Alex has owned and operated The Katering Kitchen serving both large and small events for corporate and private parties. Thanks to his fathers influence Alex has always had a successful career in the foodservice industry.
Stavros Hadjis - father, grandfather and mentor 2003
Chef Stavros Hadjis at 84 years old
This is Alex's father, Stavros Hadjis at age 84. As a young man growing up Stavros' father also owned a bakery and winery business in his home village of Samos, Greece. Stavros spent 16 years as a chef in the Greek Navy during World War II serving hundreds of people each day including King George while stationed in England. After the war Stavros continued to worked on various passenger ships serving hundreds of people from all over the world. Stavros loves to cook and shows it every day!
Nick Hadjis 2008
The next generation!
Nick Hadjis son of Alex Hadjis has become the newest family member to join the Katering Kitchen organization.
Ever since Nick was a little guy he loved to eat and was never picky to try new things. In the afternoons, Nick would always walk from school to the Vernon Inn Restaurant were his father first started cooking and would put on a apron and paper cooks hat, turn a milk crate upside down to stand on so he could reach the stainless steel tables. Nick would then proceed to help with cooking and of course taste all the good food!
Nick has finished classes at Kirkwood Community College in business and graphic arts. Not only will Nick be learning the same techniques of cooking that were taught by his grandfather and father, Nick will also be able to bring a lot of new and creative ideas to the table as well.
A personal note:
I welcome my son, Nick in to the catering business. I believe he has a great personality and the ability it takes to become a creative and great cook. I am looking forward to working together with my son to bring new ideas to the table and take this business to the next level.
I wish you, Nick, many years of happiness and success.
Love Dad!
Katering Kitchen has been involved with many community events, such as:
Star Chefs of Eastern Iowa - March of Dimes
Taste of Cedar Rapids
Freedom Fest
Marion Arts Festival
Members of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
American Heart Association - Cedar Rapids
Festival of Trees - St. Luke's Auxiliary
Washington High School Patrons of Performing Arts and Athletic Club
The Linn-Mar School Foundation
- K C C K Jazz Under the Stars