Tyler and Monica Morrison just celebrated the one year anniversary of their business Wildcat Hospitality LLC, which includes their very first restaurant and premium catering company Scratch Gourmet Express & Catering located in Prairie Village. A creative and fresh idea born amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, a time when many area businesses were closing their doors. “We wanted to create an elevated, premium, dining experience that would allow us to provide the most delicious, seasonal foods prepared on-site and at their freshest '' Tyler shares. The couple, both K-State Alums, met at a K-State Watch Party in Texas where they were both living and working in the restaurant industry at the time. “It’s such a small world, we both went to K-State but never actually met until we were both living in Texas” Monica shares with a laugh. The past three years have been a bit of a whirlwind for the duo as they got married, welcomed two children, remodeled a house and relocated to the Kansas City area. The pandemic brought a time of reflection for the Morrisons, “we wanted to build our own business, created with flexibility and creativity. Find a balance that would allow us to do what we are passionate about, but also to reflect our core value- which is family” Tyler shares.
After living and working in places like Dallas and Atlanta, the self-proclaimed foodies felt that the KC metro area was missing a key concept on the culinary front, so they set to work bringing their idea to life. “Quite simply, we were looking to create an elevated, everyday style of food service” Tyler says. This included building a mobile kitchen on wheels, complete with double ovens, warming drawers, fryers and grill. The catering van allows them to freshly prepare all food on-site. Tyler shares “we actually tricked out our van and turned it into a pop up mobile kitchen complete with power and a generator, food is not sitting around in hot boxes,” it doesn't get any fresher than that. The mobile kitchen is used to cater large events like weddings, as well as smaller events like intimate dinner parties and lively cocktail parties. “It allows us to provide a private in-home chef experience” Monica shares. From a catering aspect, they service most of the KC metro area with their mobile, catering kitchen. Tyler shares “we have done many events, from weddings in Weston to events in the Bucyrus/Spring Hill area.”
They have a physical location in Prairie Village, where they serve lunch and dinner with a menu that changes every quarter based on what is seasonally freshest in the area.They also provide a private dining room or wine cellar where more intimate events can be held. Executive Chef Joshua Walters, thoughtfully and tastefully provides “food with an elevated comfort,” meaning traditional favorites with a refined, flavorful twist. They offer a full cafe and dine in experience and if you stop in for lunch, don't miss the Chicken Salad Croissant, it’s a definite crowd pleaser. Scratch also presents an exclusive, five-course, monthly wine and dinner pairing, which is a private, ticketed event featuring winemakers from places like France, Italy and California. In fact, due to its popularity they are looking to begin offering two wine dinners a month, beginning next year. Additionally, they host a Happy Hour M-F from 3-6pm that features cocktails and shareable plates and there has been much anticipation and buzz around their new Fall Menu debuting in October. Visit Scratch Gourmet Express & Catering at 3939 W 69th Terrace Prairie Village, KS 66208 or call 913-766-6021 or online at scratchgourmet.com
