As You Like It Catering, was founded in 1994 by Bob Bailey. The premier catering facility is located at the Bailman Center, 214 18th Street, in the heart of Wheeling, West Virginia. Bailey, then only in his twenties , had experience managing a local resort that had an assortment of areas to work in, from banquet halls and room service to a swimming pool and golf course. " It was a great venue to begin a career with. It opened my world to all aspects of the service industry," said Bailey. After sometime at the resort, he began managing a local country club, where he soon recognized the need for a catering company in the area noting neither the resort nor country club provided catering off premises.
Many of the country club members wanted to entertain in their homes, but did not know who to call for catering. The members wanted someone they could trust in their homes, as well as superior food and reliable service staff. "I had just purchased a home, had two cars, and was still in my twenties, but I decided to go out on a limb and give up the security of a great position...", Bailey recalls.
He chose the companies name, going on some advice that a close, successful businessperson and friend gave him: Choose a name that starts with the beginning of the alphabet because people usually call the first few companies they see listed in the phone book."This was before internet searches Bailey jokes.Starting a business in Wheeling [West Virginia] was relatively easy, Bailey states. Being a relatively small city, the word-of-mouth method of advertising really works. Word-of-mouth is the cheapest form of advertising as it is free. Today, he now has advertisements in the yellow pages, on the internet, and his website, www.asyoulikeitcaters.com. His loyal country club clients from years prior also still help to spread the word.
It took about four years before Bailey could become solely financially dependent on his company. To supplement his finances, Bob worked part-time as a consultant at a department store, while trying to get As You Like It off the ground. He knew he was taking a chance, but believed whole-heartedly that the sacrifices he was making at the time were well worth it, but would definitely take time, patience, and most importantly perseverance.
Seventeen years after starting the company, it has grown to employ over 20 staff members, some of whom came with him when he left the country club. He relies greatly on his full time staff members' organizational and culinary skills; however, Bailey is still the only one who calls and meets personally with each client. He does 80 percent of the prep work and cooking himself. "I enjoy it and want everything to be right for the client," Bailey says.
As You Like It caters for a multitude of different events from pharmaceutical company luncheons for medical offices to private home parties. "Clients... trust us in their homes for private parties and know that their event theme will be carried out to the smallest detail", Bailey notes. Whether it is a dinner with fine china, a pool side picnic with galvanized tubs for beverages, As You Like It can do as little or as much as the client desires---just as you like it!
As You Like It Catering travel and cater within a two hour radius of Wheeling, WV and offer on-site grilling of ribs and chicken. Their menu offers a variety of options to chose from and to accommodate any budget. Most popular, Bailey says, are his beef tenderloins and his mother's Russian Cake comprised of walnuts, pineapple, and a rich cream cheese frosting. Clients can also take advantage of their in-house florist and floral shop.
As You Like It has taken great strides to set a high standard of superior catering in Wheeling West Virginia. The time that owner, Bob Bailey takes to meet with each client personally, and the heart and soul that goes into the preparation of each meal sets this catering company apart from the rest. Clients can expect superior food, reliable and exceptional service just As You Like It!
