Widow, mom, chef, farmer, designer, survivor, creative and entrepreneur.
That’s what Kate Ames, Prince George entrepreneur, calls a micro biography.
Ames is the creative chef behind Baller Food, which was her urgent response to the devastating and sudden loss of her 36-year-old spouse, Evan. He died of a heart attack last fall.
It was desperate necessity that spurred her to action that she said was terrifyingly exciting, looking back at the whirlwind of grief, fear, financial struggle and taking up the challenge as she shifted into high entrepreneurial gear.
“I’m currently booking weddings, sporting and catering events for the 2023 season, starting Skip The Dishes in the new year and people can also pick up my product in the frozen meal section at Birch & Boar downtown on George Street,” Ames explained.
She’s the head chef at Birch & Boar Charcuterie & Provisions and will soon be the manager, she added.
“I do the PG Farmers Market on Saturdays, community night markets, small business fairs, sporting events, weddings, parties, staff appreciation, music festivals and catering,” Ames said.
All while raising two boys ages four and seven who are autistic and each has ADHD.
“I would also like to say that in hindsight I’m incredibly grateful for the time our family was forced to spend together in 2020 but ultimately the pandemic took more than it gave as we also lost my grandma, one year before Evan, whom I was very close with. Heck, I bought a house in the Hart just to be close to her.”
As Ames went through her grieving process without family support, she unfortunately discovered the shocking lack of services to support a family in short-term need.
“I almost lost my house this summer as it took almost nine months for my spouse’s CPP to kick in, and almost a year for veterans’ pension with no help in the meantime,” she said.
As Ames looks to the positives in her life, she can’t help but talk about how William Miller of Birch & Boar took her under his wing.
“I think finding a true mentor is hard to do and that’s who William is to me,” Ames said.
She’s been offered advice, guidance, support, and the use of kitchen and equipment, truly a hand up to create her food shaped like balls, she added.
“We’re like family at Birch & Boar,” Ames said.
Look for Ames at the indoor Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also get her food at the Birch & Boar.
To reach Ames for catering and such reach out via text 250-301-5011, check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BallerFoodCanada or drop by the Farmers’ Market, 1310 Third Ave., or visit Birch & Boar, 547 George St.
