Delish January 2020 | Page 24

DELISH MAGAZINE JANUARY 2020 NEW RESTAURANT Lockport catering company expands to Ashley’s Culin Steak salad and avacado I Sesame-crusted salmon with roasted radishes BY DENYEL BEITER n a world of fast food drive-thru’s, convenience eating is a part of American culture. Unfortunately, so is a laundry list of na- tionwide, diet-related ailments. Enter: Ashley’s Culinary Creations. This eatery is nourishing the Lockport community through a meal prep service and healthy dining options. Chef and owner Ashley Miller is doing it all from scratch. Ashley has been cultivating a strong fan base since she founded her catering company in 2014. “I feel really lucky,” she said, noting that she was given her start as the kitchen manager at Gothic Hill Golf Course and they allowed her to use their kitchen to kick start her catering career, which recently moved to a brick and mortar storefront in Lockport’s Town Square Plaza on Dysinger Road. Behind the counter of the cafe is Maureen “Mo” Winters, Ash- ley’s Niagara Falls Culinary Institute comrade and the other fierce chef in the kitchen. The duo graduated together in 2012. Ashley became an instructor at the college and the pair went their sepa- rate ways for a couple of years. Once Ashley decided to grow her business, she knew she need- ed Mo on her team again. They both enjoy high volume cooking 24 Chef and owner Ashley Miller stands with her husband Brian in their new Lockport store. and continue to challenge themselves with each new order. In 2019, Ashley and Mo cooked for over 50 weddings and events which included venues such as The USS Little Rock Navy Cruiser, The Gallagher Barn of Medina, Bond Lake, and Hayloft in the Grove of East Aurora.