About Us

I come from a family of great cooks.  From my mom’s ability to improvise, my grandaddy’s mastery of seasoning and flavors, and my Oma’s German influence on my palette, I had a strong beginning.  

The last 20 years of my adult life have been spent traveling, eating, cooking, and experimenting with flavors, techniques, and cuisines.  I have tried, and will try almost anything. (Except bugs.  Ask me about Beijing’s night market.)  In this time, I’ve developed a love of menu planning and party hosting.  I often tell people that my love of creating a menu is similar to other people’s love of choosing and coordinating a wardrobe or an outfit.

After 15 years of working in education, two kids, and a divorce, I decided to “retire” and pursue my entrepreneurial side.  I fumbled around in real estate for a little bit, but my love of cooking and entertaining was reawakened after catering a party for a family member for 40 guests.  That reminder of how much I love menu planning coupled with getting ready to launch Joe and Friends at Soda City Market, made Something Small Catering a no-brainer, and I finally got out of my own way.

Something Small Catering launched in November of 2022 with the help of friend, Christopher Simpson from Za’s Pizza on Devine.  Our goal is to bring delicious, high-quality, and unique menus to smaller events in the Columbia area.  We want to make the bridal or baby shower, birthday party, dinner party, or holiday party feel as important as the catering for a wedding or a State dinner.  No grocery store party trays for you!

When working with Something Small Catering, you get individualized attention, a unique menu created just for you and your event, and excellent client support throughout the process.  So, if you are tasked with planning an upcoming party or event, and feel that you are too busy or you hate thinking about the food part, then we are here for you.  We take the worry about the food off of your plate.  

About Della

I jokingly say that I am from Columbia, but also not from Columbia.  I was born here, but grew up in the upstate, and then returned for college.  Then left again for China and Washington, DC, but came back again to raise my girls.

Besides the obvious of loving food and cooking, I am also a mother to two amazing daughters and a goofy poodle named Thomas.  I love traveling and new experiences, hiking and being outdoors, and showing my girls their way around the world and the kitchen. 

About Chris

A graduate from B.C. Highschool, Chris has over 20 years experience in the restaurant industry.  He has a culinary arts degree from the University of South Carolina, and loves to come up with flavorful and creative dishes.  

When he’s not busy running a kitchen, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, and honing his Karate skills.