Get Your Gourmet Fix at Jacquie’s Cafe
Writer / Kelly Wallace
Photographer / Brandy Hornback
Caterer and cafe owner Jacqueline Bols credits her success to two things: fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and exceptional customer service.
“I learned a long time ago it’s not just about the food, but the service, too,” says Bols, the owner of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering and Jacquie’s Cafe.
Bols, who is originally from Winchester, England, has a long history in the catering and event business. After going to culinary school, Bols served in the hospitality industry, as a private chef on yachts, and has prepared food for events with well-known guests including Oprah Winfrey, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Hurley, Kevin Costner, Tommy Hilfiger, and more, according to her website, jacquies.net.
Bols started her catering business in the Indianapolis area in 2003. Since then, Jacquie’s Catering has become so successful that the business now caters more than 120 weddings each year, on top of many private and corporate events.
Take a look online, and you’ll find many rave reviews of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering. Bols says she strives to use the highest quality and freshest food for her catering business, and a chef freshly finishes each plate at events, which really separates her business from many caterers.
Bols doesn’t limit her catering to a specific type of cuisine. In fact, one of Bols’ favorite events in recent months incorporated Balinese recipes. But while Bols has traveled to many countries around the globe and draws inspiration from a variety of cultures, she says most of her dishes are influenced by the culture in European countries, where fresh ingredients are considered very important.
“Our favorite thing to make is anything that’s local and fresh at the time and anything that’s seasonal,” Bols says. “We are continuously learning, and we’re always following new trends.”’
The same high-quality, local and seasonal ingredients can be found at Jacquie’s Cafe, located at 9840 N. Michigan Road in Carmel.
Menu Items at Jacquie’s Cafe include Lemon Ricotta Pancakes for breakfast and a Smoked Turkey, Brie and Apple Sandwich for lunch. All breakfast dishes that include eggs are made with Indiana free-range eggs. A full menu can be found at jacquiesgourmetcafe.com.
Bols says she tries to create a family-friendly and local atmosphere, which is why the cafe is decorated with the work of local artists. Bols hasn’t had to advertise the cafe, because many customers have discovered it by word of mouth or by driving by. Bols says the cafe has been well received by the community, and she enjoys running the shop.
“I opened it because it’s kind of fun,” she says. “We like to give people good food and a good time.”
Jacquie’s Cafe is open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for Sunday Brunch 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
