When Beth and I started this blog, we knew that we wanted to collaborate with local establishments and highlight all of our favorite things about Havre de Grace. The very first person I reached out to was Chef Stacia Epps, from Maison Catering. I met Stacia three years ago when she was still working a day job and getting Maison off the ground. I instantly liked how smart, driven, and genuine she was. Once I tasted her Shrimp and Grits- I loved her!
When Stacia began cooking in Havre de Grace, she was known as the “breakfast girl,” for her delicious breakfast sandwiches and mouth-watering bacon jam that she sold at the Havre de Grace Farmer’s Market. As she slowly gained a following, she began to branch out with lunchbox and dinner specials that she would deliver to her customer’s houses. Her simple comfort food was purposefully tailored to market demand at the time, but her background as a classically trained French Chef drove her to expand on the area’s traditional flavor profiles and introduce Havre de Grace to more creative combinations.
Today, Maison is flourishing. Joined by her business partner and Sous-Chef Sarah, Stacia has grown Maison from that Farmer’s Market Stand to In-Home Catering, Pop Up Events, and experience driven Sip and Sautee Themed Dinners. Embodying the principle of modern hustle, her creative approach to both her dishes and her business model allowed her to not only survive but thrive during Covid-19, with 2020 being one of her best years yet.
Inspired by her time in France, Stacia’s long term goal is to purchase a plantation style home and open a cooking school where women can live and work. By providing women with a safe and stable home and the skills to make it on their own, she hopes to make a difference in their lives. This philosophy of making a difference, along with operational excellence and fresh ingredients, are the cornerstones upon which Stacia’s business is built.
As a woman, I admire how Stacia has navigated that minefield of balancing strength and warmth that any woman that works in a male dominated space knows all too well; As a lover of food, I respect her commitment to creative combinations and dedication to fresh and local ingredients; As a friend, I love her heart and drive to make a difference. That is why I am SO EXCITED to collaborate with Stacia and have her share her delicious food and extensive knowledge with us on Havre de Grace Living. In the future, Maison will have a bi-monthly feature on the Blog and we can’t wait for you read and watch it- starting today!
In preparation for New Years Eve, Stacia has shared with us one of her most popular recipes: Crab Deviled Eggs. Because it is NYE and because we are both unapologetically “extra,” she decided to throw a little bling on them and we now have 24K Gold Deviled Eggs. If that isn’t enough, she also added some Steakhouse and Black Truffle Deviled Eggs for a decadent twist on a classic favorite.
Bon Appetit!
To watch exactly how these are made, check out a video series on our YouTube Page