Business notebook: Cape native returns to open catering business

Edward Martin Bauerle stopped through Cape Girardeau in 2011 for a visit before attending the World Series in St. Louis.

But he didn't make it to the game. He didn't even make it to St. Louis.

Instead, he purchased a house on Hopper Road and moved back to the city where he grew up.

Since then, he has made himself a home and opened Chef Ed's Corral, a catering business based out of Scott City, serving the region.

Chef Ed's Corral has been in business only since March 2015, but Bauerle has been cooking for 35 years. His first job was in the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas. Since then, he's held of variety of positions throughout Texas before moving north.

Stuffed jalapenos wait to be served at the P and B Catering table during the Taste of the Chamber event Tuesday at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

To build his Cape Girardeau business, Bauerle began by working out of his kitchen but quickly found himself restricted by health-department regulations.

"I was only allowed to do my baking -- pies, cakes, cinnamon rolls -- or I could go to your house and cook for you," Bauerle said.

Full-scale catering would not be possible without a commercial kitchen.

It wasn't until he joined a regional BNI networking group that his need for a kitchen outside of the home was dire. Within two meetings, he said, he generated thousands of dollars in business.

"So it immediately told me I had to get a commercial kitchen," Bauerle said.

He found a kitchen in Schock's Pub in Scott City, where he prepares his food. And since Bauerle started working in his commercial kitchen, his business has exploded, he said. After some work with drug reps serving SoutheastHEALTH and Saint Francis Medical Center, he said, "the floodgates opened."

He's now serving food throughout the region, from Marble Hill to New Madrid, Missouri.

"It's pretty humbling, as busy as it's gotten and as quickly as it has," Bauerle said.

Chef Ed's Corral has an extensive menu, offering over a dozen protein options such as lamb, Cornish game hen and kettle beef, as well as seafood and vegetarian items.

But despite the menu, Bauerle insists his customers are not limited to it.

"It's your event. You should be able to plan and want and get whatever it is you want," Bauerle said. "And all my food is homemade."

Bauerle is the sole staff at Chef Ed's Corral, but he expects to have to hire and train more staff soon.

"There have been days when I've had two lunches in one day. It's not a problem to cook for 50 people, but it's difficult to deliver two at once," Bauerle said. "I'll have to hire someone; I can't keep this pace up forever. I'd like to think I can."

Bauerle is enjoying his success as a business owner and is glad to leave behind the life of a line cook.

"I think my days of doing those types of hours is over -- though as I say that, I just got done doing 17 days of catering in a row," he said.

Local radiologist gains high honor

Dr. George A. Pjura, a radiologist with Cape Radiology Group in Cape Girardeau, has been inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Radiology.

It is one of the highest honors the ACR can bestow on a radiologist, radiation oncologist or medical physician. About 10 percent of ACR members receive the honor. The induction took place at a formal convocation ceremony during the ACR 2016 meeting May 15 in Washington, D.C.

Cuba Financial attends wealth program

Rick and Tyler Cuba of Cuba Financial Group recently attended Wealth Management University at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The program is exclusive to First Allied and the network of Cetera Financial Group. The two certified wealth strategists took a masters course in advising clients and their families through emotional times.

While there, Rick Cuba gave a presentation to more than 150 advisers on the topic of "Growth in a Changing Industry."

Missouri jobs report

The latest Department of Economic Development jobs report shows Missouri gained 15,000 jobs in April, bringing non-farm payroll employment to its highest level since 2008.

Missouri's unemployment rate rose slightly in April as well, to 4.3 percent.

Missouri's non-farm payroll employment has grown by 37,100 jobs over the past 12 months.

Kona Ice begins summer season

Kona Ice has begun its 2016 season. Jason and Stacie Coleman are serving shaved ice throughout Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott Counties.

The Colemans will partner with schools throughout the area to host "Kona Days," which allow administrators to raise money for underfunded programs. Every Thursday, they will partner with local day cares and nursing homes.

In June, the mobile shaved-ice truck will make its way to the Kelso Youth Baseball Tournament.

WalletHub lauds Cape as business-friendly

Credit-improvement service WalletHub has determined the best cities for starting a new business, and Cape Girardeau, and Carbondale, Illinois, both landed in the top 40.

Cape Girardeau, 40th of 1,268, offers some of the most inexpensive office spaces. Carbondale, ranked No. 22, has the second-highest average growth in the number of small businesses.

Business licenses

• Ownership of the Hardee's at 2115 William St. has changed. Previously owned by MIH Admin Services LLC and Jason LeVecke, the store now is owned by STARCORP LLC, based out of Phoenix.
• Deux Bon Amis LLC is a home-based party-planning service and retail gift shop owned by Cassandra Scott.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630