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OUR STORY

The Porch Cafe by Hardy Foard Catering is a partnership between Bo Foard and Gretchen Hardy that began in the fall of 2010.

 

Bo is a self taught cook.  He honed his craft cooking for hundreds of dinner parties, burying himself in cook books from the pros, taking courses from experts, and possessing a drive to find flavors that compete with most schooled cooks. He is a perfectionist who takes just as much time to learn about where the products come from and their history as he does to prepare them.    


 

 

At first, the pair focused on catering, and Hardy Foard Catering began as a small business in a tiny commercial kitchen.  In September of 2013 Hardy-Foard Catering built and opened up a  food truck called “The Porch” in the Stow Road Industrial Park in West Chesterfield, on the Foard Panel lot. 3.5 miles East towards Keene.

 

When Bo and Gretchen started The Porch there was a bit of a frenzy taking over the foodie conversations; news of secret spots to find a hidden fab meal, …the new arena: Food trucks. These meals on wheels establishment were once thought of as inexpensive but mediocre and sometimes risky food choices. Then, the times changed and so did the trucks. The trucks started serving food that was the freshest of the fresh, incredibly innovative menus, fully stainless steel dream kitchens and some even owned by celebrity chefs who are expanding their brands.

 

 

Gretchen is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. She traveled extensively through out Europe and India working in farms, vineyards and bakeries. After completing her degree in Culinary Arts she moved to Vail, CO to work in fine dinning establishment under a variety of chefs and various style of restaurants.

 

Gretchen and Bo are very passionate about their cooking. They care deeply about where their ingredients are from and how they can best be showcased. Their partnership has developed into a family business built between friends, family and spouses, all of whom covet good conversation, friendship and great food as the focal point of all gatherings. The goal is to provide these experiences for all of our guests through creative, delicious food and personal service.

 

 

Bo Foard with the help of local builder Nathan Rupard, outfitted an 18′ semi-flatbed from scratch, transforming it into a Timber-frame look-alike, custom built little house on wheels. The kitchen was fully stainless, with a little Porch to comfortably wait for your meal. The focus was on local ingredients and innovative approaches to standard Truck Stop Fare. The menu was simple comfort food switched up a bit, like the most popular menu item -- The Porch egg and cheese sandwich: A flavorful crusty whole grain bread made

in Brattleboro, topped with caramelized onions, melted sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. The menu was kept small in order to provide the best possible product and changed often, sometimes weekly based on the season...

 

Then, an amazing thing happened. The Porch and Hardy Foard Catering outgrew its location at the Porch Food Truck. Catering expanded to dozens of weddings and events a year, and business at the breakfast and lunch window was booming as well. In May of 2015 The Porch Cafe moved to 648 Putney Road in nearby Brattleboro.

 

Come on in for hot delicious breakfast or lunch and swing by anytime to talk to Gretchen about catering your next event. The Porch Cafe is even available for private parties!

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