Offering deliciously prepared dishes, Bissell Harvest Catering can help you elevate any family brunch, wedding or professional occasion.
Growing up on a small farm in the Kadapa district of India, Prasanna Peddireddy used to watch his parents work tirelessly in the fields, observing their dedication from the sidelines and developing a deep appreciation for meaningful work rooted in community. Looking for a way to contribute himself, Peddireddy started preparing meals for his family at just 11 years old, bringing them bowls of rice and dal while they worked on the land. “That was the least I could do,” says Peddireddy, who’s bringing that sense of giving and innovation to Bissell Harvest Catering, a new social enterprise created by the Bissell Centre to support the legacy institution’s 115-year efforts of lifting Edmontonians out of poverty.
Both chef and manager of the community-oriented company, Peddireddy trained in Italy in 2011 and spent the next fifteen years working in five-star restaurants in India and international cruise ships. He moved to Canada in 2013 seeking a better life and broader career opportunities for his family, eventually settling in Edmonton with his parents and brothers. He fell in love with the city and found a way to give back to it through his passion for cooking. For the past seven years, Peddireddy has been with the Bissell Centre, leading the non-profit’s food operations and addressing food insecurities within Edmonton. Bissell Harvest Catering, offers refined catering meals to more privileged locals while still supporting disadvantaged populations by redirecting profits to its social programs.
The catering service is one of the centre’s three social enterprises, which includes Bissell Thrift Shop in Alberta Avenue and Moonlight Bay Centre, a camping ground and events venue one hour west of Edmonton on Wabamun Lake. Bissell representative Christopher Schieman says the goal of the catering branch is to help provide meals, housing and financial support for families in need. “The idea behind it was to offer a great product to people, business communities and other non-profit organizations and to allow our chefs and kitchen staff an opportunity to flourish,” says Schieman.
Harvest Catering offers a range of packages tailored for various occasions. Some of Peddireddy’s specialties include a herb-roasted chicken breast served with a lemon garlic sauce, paired with vegetables and mashed potatoes and a beet carpaccio with goat cheese and walnuts.
Peddireddy says the catering team is built on decades of professional experience and a commitment to excellence. “We’re not using any donated goods towards our catering services, and we have A-class quality providers and local vendors,” says Peddireddy. “I would strongly recommend people come try us — only then can they experience what we’re capable of.”
Bissell Harvest Catering
McCauley | 10527 96 St NW, Edmonton | 780.969.5171 | bissellharvest.ca
