Tasha Monticure and Kristen McCurdy are well-versed in the catering and event planning industries. 

Combine their skill sets of food, flowers and la fétes, and you have a one-stop shop for parties ranging from two to 30 people. Monticure and McCurdy launched a new business collaboration in February offering catering, event planning, custom tablescaping and floral arrangements. 

Monticure’s Bodega South Main will serve as the home base for the collaboration. The counter near the main door will display tablescape options, using curated tableware collections, and fresh flowers will be onsite.

Kristen McCurdy, an event planner, (left) and Tasha Monticure, owner of Bodega South Main, are joining forces on a new business venture.

“It’ll be new and vintage goods that all enhance the art of hosting in that capacity,” says McCurdy, owner of Kristen McCurdy Studio for nine years, which specializes in event planning and florals. “And you can purchase them and take them home with you, but we’ll also offer rentals.”

Monticure and McCurdy expect customers to engage with their new venture in different capacities, including DIY events where only a few items are needed, as well as parties requiring a full-service package.

“In addition, Bodega does have TABC certified bartenders,” says Monticure, a 30-plus year veteran of the catering industry. “We can offer you bartending onsite for intimate gatherings. We have all of our licenses to bring beer and wine and champagne as well.”

Because of this flexible approach, Monticure and McCurdy will build a custom quote for each customer. Customers can also see tablescape mockups at Bodega before bringing the items home. Pick-up is available while delivery and setup are offered for an additional fee. 

The final quote can always be adjusted based on needs and budget. 

“I really try to be super flexible because, typically, it’s very rare that I can’t do something for you within your budget,” Monticure says.

McCurdy takes a similar approach with flowers. 

“There’s blooms of every price range,” she says. “They’re all beautiful and it’s just how you put them together.” 

The spark for this collaboration stemmed from a mutual love of vintage servingware. Both women have collected those items for years after being exposed to them growing up. McCurdy would shop antiques with her mom while Monticure’s family owned an antique store. 

McCurdy and Monticure decided to pool their collections last November after someone mentioned the idea of having home goods at the Bodega. 

Monticure opened Bodega South Main in December 2020 following her time as Lockheed Martin’s director of catering. She met McCurdy in 2020. Since then, they have traveled together and meet up weekly to decompress. Several dozen collaborations, like floral stem bars and yearly events on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, have resulted from their friendship. 

This collaboration has been a bigger undertaking, but their extensive experience in event planning and catering has made setting up the business fun and relatively painless. 

“With both of our lines of work, we literally have to pivot on a dime and, so far, no challenges,” Monticure says. “So, I think we’re both in our wheelhouse and we’re operating with what we have already done and we know and there’s a lot of excitement behind it and passion behind it.” 

The excitement extends beyond Monticure and McCurdy. Before the business officially launched, they already booked a February party featuring tablescaping, florals and catering. 

Monticure and McCurdy want to bring creativity, style and sophistication to any gathering, regardless of size. Even if just a couple of cups or plates are needed, they can provide the right finishing touch.  

“If you want to mix and match some small plates with your plates, the goal is just to enhance the creativity in your home and for your gatherings,” McCurdy says.