Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Wingo.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Chef Ashley Agee Wingo was born in Spartanburg SC. She started her passion for the art of cooking at the early age of 10 years old; cooking for family and friends. Ashley attended Spartanburg High School where she was able to pursue her passion further through the vocational classes offered at DMTC.
Chef Ashley began her professional career, completed her internship requirement, and was hired at High Cotton of Charleston where she enhanced and acquired additional fine dining skills. While working at High Cotton, she quickly went up the ranges and continued to further her education. After moving from Charleston back to Spartanburg in 2015, Chef Ashley started her own company called Grace Catering. Grace Catering meets the needs of customers seeking a unique, fine dining experience that serves all events; from baby/bridal showers and weddings, to corporate luncheons and events.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, the journey has been smooth, with only a few bumps along the way. One of the key challenges we’ve faced is managing client expectations—particularly when it comes to menu options, pricing, and service quality. Balancing these demands without compromising on standards can be a delicate task. Additionally, many clients overlook the importance of booking a venue with a fully equipped catering kitchen, which can have a significant impact on service execution. Lastly, inflation and the steady rise in food costs continue to affect profitability, with ingredient prices climbing consistently over the past few years.
We’ve been impressed with Grace Catering , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Grace Catering, LLC was founded in May 2015 to meet the needs of clients looking for a unique, fine dining experience tailored to any event. From weddings and bridal showers to corporate luncheons and special celebrations, Grace quickly earned a reputation for exceptional service and elevated cuisine.
By late 2018, the business evolved into Grace Events & More, reflecting its expanded offerings. Event décor became a core part of the service, transforming Grace into a full-service event company—handling everything from catering and decorating to equipment rentals.
In 2019, Grace introduced meal prep services, offering healthy, chef-curated meals under 600 calories. Each week, a new menu is released, giving customers the chance to order fresh, balanced meals for the following week—perfect for those looking to eat clean without sacrificing flavor.
Grace is proudly family-owned and operated. It was founded by Chef Ashley Agee-Wingo, a passionate culinary professional, wife to Marcus Wingo, and mom to Olivia Grace (7) and Marcus Jr. (1). At its heart, Grace is about more than just great food—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences, one event at a time.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Preparation is key! Not only is it important to manage my time to get the food out; but being prepared so that when unexpected challenges occur I’m able to manage and still have a successful event. Things happen all the time behind the scenes at events but I keep in mind that this is someone’s special day or an important meeting, I don’t want to let them down. So i ensure that my team and I are well prepared to handle anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.graceeventsandmore.com
- Instagram: grace.catering.more
- Facebook: Grace Catering
- Other: admin@cateringgrace.com
