Thousands of visitors from across the country and around the world are in town for the 89th Masters tournament. They are shopping with local retailers, staying in hotels and in homes that are rented out for the week. Those golf enthusiasts all have to eat somewhere, which is why restaurants are packed, and caterers are jumping to meet the demand.
Fat Man’s Mill Café and Catering is swamped with catering jobs for small groups and corporate events.
“We are closed for the week to focus on the Masters. For us, it’s like three months of business in one week,” said Havird Usry, partner in the family business and VP of Operations.
Not only are they handling events at the Mill Café site, but Usry’s team is also catering off-site.
“We are working with The Lookaway Inn in North Augusta and providing food for corporate events at Augusta Aviation and Augusta Regional.”
Restaurants and caterers begin preparing months in advance by hiring and training extra wait staff. For Vera Stewart, Masters prep starts almost a year in advance. Augustans may think of “Very Vera” as a one-woman show. By the time April comes, she’ll have worked with a few hundred people on her Masters business.
“I bring in 32 chefs from across the country. Prior to the tournament, we do Zoom meetings and discuss every single detail and every meal, most of the recipes are mine that are highlighted on my show and in my cookbooks,” said Stewart.
She and her team also coordinate drivers, bartenders, waiters, floral arrangements, cocktail parties, private corporate dinners, and in-home catering for 31 clients during the week. It’s a commitment to ensure guests are well-fed and happy with their Masters’ experience.
Think of it as a hospitality tradition like no other. However, visitors for the Masters aren’t just here to watch the tournament. Some come to play golf, which can present other food opportunities.
Kurt Mueller, who left Apollon Wealth Management in the fall of 2023, has been smokin’ on and building his Ironhead BBQ business ever since.
“After Helene, many area companies like Bridgestone began reaching out to us. We arrive for lunch or dinner with a variety of ribs, brisket, pork butts, baked beans and more. For the Masters, we kicked off with the Mayor’s Reception event,” said Mueller.
If the golf lovers in town visit Jones Creek Golf Club tomorrow, they may see the blue Ironhead trailer and get a whiff of an award-winning Pitmaster’s BBQ.
While all eyes are upon golf this week, other sporting events also draw visitors to the CSRA, including the Aiken Steeplechase held in March, which leads to many other horse shows.
That is one of the reasons you won’t see another popular caterer for Masters events, La Vita Bella; owner Angela Dragano’s business is based in Aiken.
“Between weddings, other private events, and the horse business here, I’ve been working from 4:00 AM until midnight most days, but I would consider doing some private events for the Masters next year,” explained Dragano.
Catering is not for the faint of heart, although the rewards can be extremely beneficial. Every business, whether retail or food businesses, is intent on putting the CSRA in the best spotlight possible; after all, it’s our time to shine.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia, as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
