Roundz Ready to Cater to Crofton

Have you ever prepared beluga lentil? Or served purple imperial rice to dinner guests? is ready to teach Crofton how to do just that.

, owned by Pope, will open in the Hopkins Place shopping center in November 2011.  This venture is an outgrowth of Pope’s award-winning Roundz Catering, launched in 2004. 

The new Roundz Gourmet Market will house current catering operations and serve as a unique culinary shop offering:

• Prepared hot and cold gourmet foods for carry-out or café dining.
• Specialty food items such as infused oils, compound butters, cheeses, honeys, mustards, vinaigrettes and more.
• Unique kitchenware such as specialty vegetable peelers, spider strainers and mandolin slicers.
• An audio/video-ready venue for meetings, special functions and events
• Cooking classes for all interest levels from novice to gourmand.

There will also be tables for café dining and free Wi-Fi. This space will be audio/video ready and available for meetings, special functions or other events. 

“I envision the Market as a place where I can prepare food for my catering clients, while being on hand to welcome everyone who comes through the door," said Pope. "We can help you choose something for your family dinner, let you sample my fresh roasted coffees, answer cooking questions and sign you up for a cooking class!”

The Chapman Farm resident explained that his design layout is based on his experience in numerous award-winning restaurant kitchens in Washington, DC.

“I worked with an architect to design an inviting space built around an open-kitchen concept. From the front door you can see all the way into the kitchen. Working kitchens are fascinating. If you have time, you will be welcome to hang out and ask questions about what’s going on,” Pope said. He added, “I want to raise awareness about food, ways to prepare food and how to enjoy different kinds of food.” 

For catered events, Pope works directly with his clients to design the catering experience they desire, whether large, small, in-home, casual or formal, with no pre-set menu. Recently he catered a small event that included Roundz Signature Italian Pasta Salad, a mixed green salad of apple, toasted pecans and golden raisins, followed by petit brisket sandwiches and raspberry and apricot brie in pastry served with crackers. These were accompanied by a platter of turkey and smoked ham on rolls with a wild honey mustard and cranberry apple spread. This is just one example of his many gourmet options. 

Janet Lewis of Annapolis said “I just love Roundz catering. Last spring I attended an event he did and the food was delicious. I can’t wait for the store to open. It sounds like a great place to have lunch.”

She explained that she attended a dinner at the Davidsonville Raritan Club that was catered by Roundz.  “He served Italian Pasta Salad with fresh mozzarella, pesto and tomatoes. You can’t ask for anything more beautiful or tasteful than that combination,” said Lewis.