For more than 30 years, Dave Miele has been catering parties and events for residents of Lycoming County under the Hillside moniker.
Miele said his entrance into the catering business began with the popular Hillside Restaurant in 1979 which eventually transitioned into Hillside Catering in 1998 when Miele sold the restaurant.
Hillside catering now at 324 Broad St. in Montoursville, offers full service catering for a variety of events including weddings, banquets, cocktail parties, luncheons, private parties and more.
"We have a full kitchen and cater parties from two to 2,000 people," Miele said. "Everything from picnics to black-tie."
Among the biggest events the company caters are annual parties for Larson Design Group and Woolrich Woolen Mills.
Miele said the company, which employs five full-time and 25 part-time staff members, has exclusive contracts with several hotels and venues in the area to provide catering services at events held there.
"Our quality staff and ability to cook on-site set us apart from our competition," he said. "We emphasize quality food and service from our trained, uniformed staff."
The food and service are the keys to success in the catering industry, according to Miele.
"The basics don't change. We make almost everything from scratch," he said. "You are only as good as your staff."
Another way Hillside sets itself apart from competitors is its willingness and desire to give back to the local community by supporting local organizations.
Miele said the company routinely donates services to area organizations and offers discounted rates to non-profit organizations.
Most recently Hillside provided the food for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Sojourner Truth Ministries.
"We believe in supporting the community," he said. "The thanks and appreciation we get make it worth it."
The staff at Hillside Catering will work with clients to guide them through the process of planning an event, bringing in the staff's decades of experience and expertise to create memorable events.
"I don't take on anything I can't handle. I do not allow clients to do something I don't think will work," he said. "Our goal is excellence."
Hillside Catering offers 11 different menus and can meet a variety of dietary requirements including kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free. The company, Miele said, also can meet special requests not on the menus.
For more information, visit the website www.hillsidecatering.com or call 368-8880.
