Bluewater Kitchen Reimagines Historic Upperville Country Store into Boutique Market
Former Upperville Country Store reopens November 20th, 2019 to the public as the headquarters for Bluewater Kitchen Catering & Events and The Market at Bluewater Kitchen
UPPERVILLE, VA (November 12, 2019) – The historic Upperville Country Store has been reinvented as a headquarters for Bluewater Kitchen Catering & Events and as a boutique storefront, called The Market at Bluewater Kitchen. The Market provides quick, quality food for all those who live and work in the community and who travel Route 50. There will be a high focus on daily made grab & go prepared meals [breakfast, lunch, dinner], but also offer some key grocery items, craft beer, locally curated goods, and a minimal hot order menu. Additionally, they are introducing full holiday meals and quick-order catering for tailgates, winery tours and small gatherings as a cornerstone of the new venture.
Bluewater Kitchen established itself in May 2013 and has operated out of Buchanan Hall as a hyper-local farm-to-table catering & event company serving the greater Washington DC area. With a focus on bringing restaurant level cuisine & service to events, the team has been dedicated to creating exciting curated menus and event plans for life’s most memorable celebrations. Clients sing praise throughout their online reviews;
- “We hired this dynamite husband/wife team for our reception and guests are still sending us messages about how phenomenal the food was..”
- “my guests said it was the best food at a wedding they have ever had..”
- “their food steals the show..”
- “Bluewater’s delicious menu left all our guests satisfied while still wanting more!”
- “We cannot recommend their services enough..”
- “HIRE THEM NOW.”
It is because of this overwhelmingly positive reaction and the continued year over year rapid growth owners, Michael and Christina Kozich, have reason to create a forever home and expand so their hospitality and food is readily accessible by all.
Opening The Market at Bluewater Kitchen in the historic Upperville Country Store location, only meters away from where it all began for them – Buchanan Hall, “seemed too perfect. Upperville has been our home for 6 years. A few months into the search for our new space this opportunity came along, and we just couldn’t pass it up. We love this community so much and really didn’t want to leave what has become home for us” said Christina Kozich. They completely renovated the space, “I think people will walk in and be delightfully surprised with what we have done with the existing space. It took much longer, was more complicated and costly than we anticipated, but once we open and are able to share this with all of you it will be worth it. They say, the longer you have to wait for something, the more you will appreciate it when it finally arrives. The harder you have to fight for something, the more priceless it will become once you achieve it.”
Executive Chef & Owner, Michael Kozich is eager to create exciting & memorable cuisine options as well as traditional consumer favorites. The goal of The Market is to create a product that is not only reasonably priced, delicious, quick and healthy, but is also inspired by the customer and community. His goal has always been to showcase the Shenandoah & Piedmont’s bounty and be a direct link in the support of local farms. He has established a network of local green, sustainable farmers to provide a true “farm to your table” food experience through catering. Although this is where the passion lies for Kozich, he realizes The Market will have to provide an appropriate product mix so items can be affordable for all. Local has traditionally meant costlier, and he wants to provide options for all budgets.
Michael, Executive Chef, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He has worked in multiple Michelin Star restaurants such as: Michel Richard’s Citronelle in Washington, D.C., The Little Nell Hotel’s Montagna in Aspen, CO and Mourad in San Francisco. He also served as the Executive Chef at an old local favorite, Hooked Seafood & Sushi, in Sterling, VA. He held the position as the Executive Chef at Whole Foods in Basalt, CO. Michael’s variety of experience with food & cooking has deepened his passion for the culinary arts and fostered a deep support for the whole food movement.
Christina, Chief Operating Officer, has a long history in hospitality and food & beverage. Graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in Integrative Public Relations, Christina has had a variety of careers to make her well-rounded in owning her own business. She worked as the Special Events Manager in Mammoth Lakes, CA working on XGAME prequalifying events, Jazz Festivals and other town celebrations. She met her husband and business partner as an Operations Director for a Northern Virginia restaurateur. She continued to work in Marketing & PR in Mt. Pleasant, MI and Aspen, CO, but most recently for Salamander Hotels & Resorts. She held the role as Corporate Marketing Manager where design, branding and event management were the basis of her responsibilities. As Bluewater Kitchen has grown over the years, she has left the corporate world, solely focusing on the future of Bluewater.
Opening to the public at 7:00 am, November 20, 2019.
Address: 9036 John S Mosby Highway Upperville, VA