It’s a wonder there’s not steam rising from the New Street Catering headquarters on S. New Street in West Chester, where a team of expert chefs work nearly around the clock cranking out custom delights for numerous events—small, large and enormous—in and around Chester County.
New Street Catering, official caterer for West Chester University, has recently expanded its services to include private events and weddings. Backyard soirees, baby and bridal showers, corporate events and weddings from start to finish are all within its scope. “We’re a full service catering company,” explains Abigail Smith, catering sales manager, adding that, beyond their affiliation with the University, “We’re here to serve the community, too.”
We chatted behind the scenes with New Street’s award-winning pastry chef, Beth Mottola, who’s been a key player in the growth of this multifaceted catering powerhouse.
Dessert First
Beth Mottola typically begins her day at 4 a.m. She opens New Street Catering’s facility and starts by baking off breakfast and completing the day’s custom orders. “We produce many items from scratch, so every day is different depending on what is needed, from icing and cakes to pies and mini desserts,” Mottola says.
Mottola runs the bakery and supervises the production of all of the desserts for New Street Catering’s residential and catering events. “My job is very hands-on,” she says. “I like being creative and staying busy.”
“Busy” is certainly an apt description of her job, which involves a staggering range of clients. “It can be a simple breakfast for 10 to 1,000,” she says, or “a backyard barbecue or quaint dinner at the West Chester University president’s house.”
Mottola says that spring is an especially busy time of year for the company, which recently participated in the Chester County Community Foundation’s Sweet Charity dessert competition event and catered the WCU Presidential Scholarship Community Gala, each of which draws about 400 attendees.
“Sweet Charity is always a fun event. I like to help and give back to the community,” she says of the former. “[This year] I made an adult pudding shot shooter and it went over very well. Last year I won the judge’s award for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake—flavors that bring you back to your childhood.”
As for the upscale gala event, which had a Gold Rush theme this year, Mottola created prickly pear crisp, apricot tartine, chocolate truffles and champagne gel and decorated them all with edible gold, a gilded touch for a luxurious affair.
While her work runs the gamut from simple to extravagant, Mottola receives the best response on a few of her more innovative sweets. “Some of our most popular desserts are bacon brownies, macadamia nut tarts and avocado ice cream,” she says.
The demanding role is one that she loves, and it carries over into her personal life as well.
Chef’s Favorites
Mottola’s culinary roots go back to her youth. “My mom always had a love of food, making everything from scratch, and I guess I got the bug from her,” she say. She initially studied business management, but ultimately gravitated toward food. “I started working for Zagara’s gourmet supermarket in their catering department in New Jersey,” she explains. “I learned as I went.”
Now, as pastry chef, she plans to continue honing her skills. “I have a love for chocolate and sugar work and would love to take classes on both,” she says. Her personal favorite sweets are “salty and sweet combined,” including salted caramels and anything with chocolate. “I love a good butter cookie!” she adds.
Luckily for her family and friends, Mottola bakes at home, too, where she sticks with simple pleasures. “I enjoy making cookies, specifically biscotti. Around the holidays I like to make homemade bialys; all are very easy and enjoyable.”
Sweet Inspirations
Home for Mottola is with her husband John and their three dogs in Upper Chichester. One of her primary interests outside of work is participating in animal rescue. “I work with Animal Aid,” she explains. “They rescue animals in hopes of placing them in a forever home. We recently went to Georgia and rescued over 200 cats and dogs and placed them in homes. The people in this group are truly angels!”
Mottola’s heart for helping others and caring for animals doesn’t end there. She also volunteers at All Riders Up, a horse farm in Garnet Valley that helps handicapped children and military veterans overcome their disabilities. “Working with the horses and seeing children take riding lessons is priceless,” Mottola says.
In her role as pastry chef, Mottola draws on her outside passions for energy and motivation. “The charity work I do really inspires me to be a better person at home and in the workplace.”
At New Street Catering Mottola is part of a passionate team whose client base and services continue to grow and expand. She brings to the company her expertise, creativity and heart for others. We asked Mottola how she defines success in her line of work. “Success is the ability to do what you love every day,” she replied. “If I can help someone reach their success as well? Enough said.”
Look for the sweet treats of New Street Catering in and around West Chester, where they’ll be popping up more and more. For more information on private catering services, sweet and savory alike, contact New Street Catering today!
Find New Street Catering at 700 S. New Street in West Chester; phone: (610) 436-3130.
- Photos: New Street Catering
