Hey there!
We’re GRITS
Coastal Southern Catering
We combine Southern Hospitality with delicious cuisine for weddings, special events and private parties throughout the Florida Panhandle!
"Absolutely incredible! From initial communication to final presentation of the food, the process was flawless! I had some last minute requests and they were so quick to come up with solutions and executed it perfectly! The guest raved about the food and the kindness of the staff! Do yourself a favor and book them!"
- Brooke Bennett
"Their staff were all so friendly and professional and everything was beautifully presented. The team made sure everything ran smoothly so we didn’t have to worry about a thing. If you’re looking for a catering company that cares about the details and delivers amazing food and service, look no further."
- Hannah Breal
Chef Forist Bishop, Owner
I’ve had the absolute joy in my cooking career to work under some of the most talented chefs in Panama City, Panama City Beach and all along beautiful 30A. Between long hours in bustling kitchens, culinary school courses and much experimenting on my own- and I’ve built my own unique approach to cooking. Food should be bright! Food should be happy. Food should be fun- it should be colorful and it should be exciting to eat.
The road to GRITS started in my teenage years, cooking for my family. It grew when I enrolled in Culinary School—where I got hands-on with everything from meat fabrication to baking to classical French technique. During my second year of school, I launched my first business as a private chef, delivering daily gourmet lunch boxes to local clients. That venture landed me in magazine features, articles and even TV interviews.
While I’ve had many noteworthy moments in my career that all make me still smile — like working the 30A restaurant scene, finding myself sharing kitchens with amazing chefs and winemakers, cooking at food film festivals, hosting wine-pairing dinners, creating fresh Gulf Coast-inspired specials and earning certification from Cornell University in Plant-Based Nutrition… this has all led me to finding my true calling: event catering.
I finally pulled the trigger on my dream and launched GRITS in 2020.
Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a big wedding, I put my heart into every dish. Being part of your special moments is an honor, and I’m endlessly grateful for every single client who entrusts us to make their celebrations extra delicious.
The Panhandle is home. I love it here. I love working hard. And if I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me with my husband + my babies, soaking up every minute of this incredible life on the Gulf Coast.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting us on the GRITS team do what we love. We can’t wait to serve you!
Now, the important stuff:
Favorite eats?
Fresh mango juice. Ahi tuna. Cheesy grits with hot sauce. That magic moment when the baked beans and mac mix together on your BBQ plate. Blue cheese with honey. Rare lamb. Summer tomatoes with salt. Warm bread and dry wine.
Hard pass?
Sour cream. Chocolate chip cookies.
"I am so glad my coordinator recommended Forist for our wedding. The food was outstanding! Everyone loved the food and presentation. We can’t stop talking about it. It was so gorgeous and delicious. You can’t go wrong with her! She was so helpful and so nice and I couldn’t have been any happier with how everything turned out."
- Hailey Robertson
"Chef Forist has the best customer service, the best food you will ever eat, and treats you like you're her only client with her attention to detail and presentation."
- Molly Griffin
Get in touch with Chef Forist!
gritspcb@gmail.com | 850-775-7373
Bre Ross, Director of Operations
While Chef Forist is making magic in the kitchen, I’m the one making sure everything outside of it runs like clockwork! From your first inquiry to the final toast at your event, I handle all the details that make the GRITS experience seamless.
My role? Everything but the cooking! That means new inquiries, contracts, bookings, special events, designing our food displays, and front-of-house management. If you send an email, make a call, or need help with the planning process—I’m the one guiding you every step of the way. I’ll work with you to build your menu, fine-tune the details, and offer suggestions to make your event extra special.
Working with Chef Forist isn’t just a job—it’s an honor. She’s more than a colleague; she’s a true friend. Her passion, talent, and dedication are unmatched. She goes above and beyond to bring culinary dreams to life, whether it’s a small gathering or the wedding of a lifetime. From locally sourced ingredients to the personal touches she pours into every dish, no chef is more thoughtful in their craft. She is the heart of our kitchen, and I’m lucky to stand beside her.
The relationships we build at GRITS is the thing that I love most. We’re not just catering events—we’re part of your biggest milestones, your memories, your celebrations. And that means everything to us. When you become a GRITS client, you become part of our family, too.
We can’t wait to be part of your special day!
"Nothing short of AMAZING! Their whole staff was super sweet and helpful! Bre and the owner made this whole process super simple and answered all my questions!"
- Keaton Brown
"I appreciate you always taking my calls or calling back asap, Bre! You guys showed up and made it the perfect day!!"
- Laura Allen
Get in touch with Bre!
bre@gritspcb.com | 850-389-1603
