Monteverde Catering & The Belle of Emsworth
embracing the values of Family, Community, & Tradition
When Monteverde Catering came to me, they were at a turning point. A beloved family-run business with nearly four decades of success, they weren’t looking to reinvent who they were, but rather to refine how they showed up. They were stepping into a new era with the restoration of a historic venue and needed a brand that could hold both their legacy and their vision for the future.
And while what they sell is food, their story wasn’t just about food. It was about people, memories, and the deeply rooted connection they have with their community. And like many long-standing businesses, they had outgrown the more generic, templated branding that once served them.
Our goal? Create a brand that reflected their heart. Something honest and intentional that could grow alongside them. Something that didn’t just look beautiful, but felt like home. (Oh, and could be translated as a second brand specifically for weddings and events…).
Monteverde Catering
Monteverde Catering has been a trusted name in their community for 38 years. Founded by a father with a passion for food and a heart for hospitality, the business is now led by his daughter, who works with purpose, warmth, and just the right mix of bubble gum and grit. Clients aren’t just bookings on a calendar; they’re an extension of the family. That means hot, hearty meals that never leave anyone hungry and a team that always shows up ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work.
We knew their branding had to reflect all of that: approachable, homegrown, dependable, but still polished enough to honor the professionalism and detail that goes into every event. From weddings and showers to funeral luncheons and church fish fries, Monteverde brings people together. It was time to build a brand that did the same.
The Belle of Emsworth
The Belle is more than just a venue; it’s a restoration project, a community hub, and a love letter to the community of Emsworth. Formerly a neighborhood church, the space has been thoughtfully brought back to life by the Monteverde family. We’re talking reclaiming wood, highlighting original finishes, fixtures, and trim, updating wallpapers, and adding moments of modern touches. It’s intimate, charming, and full of soul, the kind of place that feels familiar the moment you step inside.
From cookie exchanges and silent auctions to private dinners and tea parties, The Belle is an extension of Monteverde’s values in physical form. We wanted the brand identity for the venue to be connected to Monteverde, but with its own tone: a little softer, a little more refined, and steeped in the spirit of meaningful gatherings.
How They Work Together
It was important for both brands to stand on their own while still feeling related, like siblings from the same family. Monteverde is the catering engine and the foundation, while The Belle is the backdrop, the setting, the place where the magic happens.
We used visual cues, thoughtful naming, and strategic copy to create cohesion without duplication. From menu design to signage language to web flow, everything works together to help clients understand: this is a team that knows who they are and what they’re doing. Whether you're hosting a breakfast buffet, a wedding dinner, or a neighborhood fundraiser, Monteverde and The Belle are there, together, to make it seamless.
The Values We Honored and the Choices We Made
At the core of every decision was a simple question: does this feel like them? This project was rooted in values; family, community, tradition, dependability, and warmth. That meant making room for imperfection when it felt human, using design elements that echoed old recipe cards, family illustrations and cookbooks, and handwritten notes, as well as choosing language that felt personal, never stiff or stock.
We avoided anything that felt overproduced or trendy and leaned into a tone that was bubbly, honest, and kind. We used illustration to give the brand personality, built a tagline that nodded to their original while bringing it forward, and structured the website to make things easy, for both their team and their clients. Because accessibility and care are part of their brand, too.
