NORTH FORK — Friday, Apr. 1, will be a day of celebration as three new businesses open in downtown North Fork. One of the stand-outs is Willow Creek Catering.
Owner and culinary expert of Willow Creek Catering, Dawn Pliche’, has been a Head Chef in the Yosemite, Oakhurst and the central Sierra mountain area for over 15 years. Dawn has worked at Ducey’s on the Lake, a fine dining restaurant at the Pines Resort at Bass Lake; Sierra Sky Ranch Resort in Oakhurst; and South Gate Brewing Company in Oakhurst, where she designed the menu that “put them on the map” as one of Oakhurst’s great places to eat.
Dawn has obtained a celebrated reputation in the area for her professional skills, unique flavors, creative flare and unmatched enthusiasm.
Dawn Pliche owner of Willow Creek Catering
Her passion for food and cooking began by working on movie set locations for a catering company in the motion picture film industry where she developed all of the intangibles that serve her so well today. For eight years she traveled across the United States preparing food favorites for discernible celebrities while working on such films as Terminator 2 with Arnold Schwarzeneger, The Doors with Oliver Stone and Val Kilmer, Sleepless in Seattle with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, JFK with Kevin Costner and Thelma and Louise with Susan Sarandon, just to name a few.
Co-owner/operations manager Kearey Allison started his restaurant career at the age of 14 in his grandparents’ restaurant in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. He then went on to cook and do pantry work in his hometown of Oakland, Calif., until moving to Yosemite where he worked for 10 years.
Kearey later worked at the Pines Resort and Tioga Pass Resort before starting an organic flower farm in North Fork.
Willow Creek Catering now has a food booth and will also be focusing on doing community events and festivals.
Friday’s festivities start at 4 p.m. and will carry on until around 8 o’clock, during which time Willow Creek will be serving up delicious food.
There will be live music from Jean Butterfield from 4 – 4:30, followed by DJ music by Christina DeGracia. Organizers expect that many of the North Fork music talent will show up to do some live performances. To top off the evening’s entertainment, there will be fire dancing in the streets at around 7:30 p.m.
Also part of the afternoon and evening festivities will be the grand openings of the Gnarly Carrot and A Bit of Everything Gift Store, and the Studio will host a Night of Comedy starting at 7 p.m.
Willow Creek Catering Menu at North Fork Chamber New Business Ribbon Cutting Ceremony —
Dawn’s “Famous” Clam Chowder with Sour Dough Bread Slices – $6.
Free Range Chicken-Apple Tarragon Wrap with fresh Organic Greens and Cheddar Cheese all wrapped in a Tortilla – $9.
Caprese Salad- Organic Greens with Raw Mozzarella, Kalamata Olives, Tomato, Basil Leaves and a Balsamic Viniagrette – $8.
“Wrap It Up” in a Tortilla for $1.
Cajun Shrimp Wrap- Shrimp Etouffee with Red Beans and Rice wrapped in a Tortilla – $9.
Side of Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice – $5.
