Meet Jason Harvey of North Meets South Catering

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Harvey

Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Success: The Journey of a Passionate Pitmaster

Born outside of Dayton, Ohio, and raised in the small southern town of Moncks Corner, SC—just 30 miles northwest of Charleston—I come from a proud lineage of military service. As a third-generation military veteran, service was ingrained in my upbringing. But from the young age of four, another passion had begun to take hold: cooking.

My earliest memories of cooking were shaped by an unusual request. While other kids might have asked for toy trucks or action figures, I wanted a play kitchen. My late father, believing a workbench and tools were more appropriate, had different plans. However, my loving mother saw my passion and took it upon herself to craft a play kitchen out of cardboard boxes. That simple act of encouragement set me on a lifelong journey of culinary exploration.

Even at an early age, I was fascinated by cooking shows. My mother recalls waking up many mornings to find me sitting in the living room at 5 a.m., completely mesmerized by Julia Child and other renowned chefs of the late ’80s and early ’90s, airing on public broadcasting. I spent countless hours in the kitchen with my mother, absorbing her knowledge and learning how to cook for our family of five. Growing up in a military household meant we didn’t have much, but we always had plenty. Through this, I learned the art of taking simple, affordable ingredients and transforming them into amazing dishes.

Determined to forge my own path, I graduated high school as a junior at the age of 16. Immediately, I pursued my passion for culinary arts at a local community college, continuing my education until I turned 19. My first professional kitchen experience was as a short-order cook at a small-town breakfast spot. However, the world around me was changing. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were in full swing, and I knew I needed to serve my country. Inspired by the example set by my parents, who successfully raised a family while serving, I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005.

For 14 years, I served as a 15U Chinook helicopter repairer and crew chief. While my military career demanded much of my time and energy, my love for cooking never wavered. Whenever I had the opportunity, I took on part-time jobs in the culinary world, working in small, privately owned diners, bed-and-breakfast establishments, and along the St. Lawrence River in Upstate New York.

In 2015, I transitioned out of the military and began my next chapter. I met my wife and embarked on a series of management roles in warehouse operations, candy manufacturing, and multi-state project management. However, despite financial stability and career growth, something was missing. My entrepreneurial spirit called to me—I didn’t want to ride the coattails of others. I wanted to carve out my own path.

In 2024, I made a bold decision: I stepped away from the workforce and returned to college. Within a year, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Operations from American Military University. Equipped with both hands-on experience and formal education, I was finally prepared to take the leap and start my own business.

My passion for barbecue and cooking over open flames had always been a defining part of my life. From my years as a Boy Scout, where I earned the rank of Eagle Scout, to my teenage years spent mastering campfire cooking, the thrill of feeding people through non-traditional methods had always excited me. With this in mind, I set out to build a small BBQ catering business.

Living in Clarksville, TN, I saw an opportunity to bring my dream to life. Our property had the perfect setup—I rezoned it and was on the verge of installing a commercial kitchen in our walk-out basement. The plan was to use the space to smoke BBQ and serve it directly from a licensed, commercial-grade kitchen on my own land.

But fate had other plans.

In October 2024, I stumbled upon North Meets South Catering, a 10-year staple in the Clarksville community. The business was up for sale, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity to fast-track my vision. Instead of starting from scratch, I could build upon an established foundation, combining its existing reputation with my unique touch.

Today, I stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, blending my love for Southern BBQ with the rich legacy of North Meets South Catering. My journey has been one of persistence, passion, and purpose. From a four-year-old dreaming of a play kitchen to a military veteran turned entrepreneur, every experience has led me to this moment.

And this is just the beginning.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The Road to Business Ownership: Challenges and Triumphs

Life, as we all know, has its ups and downs, forks in the road, and decisions that shape our path. The process of purchasing North Meets South Catering was no exception. It was a long and sometimes frustrating journey—one that made me second-guess my decision more than once. The acquisition process took much longer than expected, with a few unexpected bumps along the way. If it weren’t for my wife, Marissa, standing by my side, supporting me, and constantly reminding me that this was my calling and true passion, I’m not sure I would have stuck it out. Having the support of those who see your potential is critical to being an entrepreneur.

The first few months of ownership have been both a blessing and a challenge. The outpouring of support from the community has been incredible, with local customers welcoming me with open arms. However, business ownership comes with its fair share of struggles. Watching the rising costs associated with running a catering company has been eye-opening. Managing staff, especially those who stayed on after the purchase, has presented its own challenges. Some employees eventually decided that the new direction wasn’t what they were interested in, forcing me to navigate staffing changes and restructuring.

Despite these obstacles, I remain steadfast in my commitment to growing and evolving the business. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve. I’m passionate about carrying forward the legacy of North Meets South Catering while infusing it with my vision and culinary expertise.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
About North Meets South Catering
North Meets South Catering, based in Clarksville, TN, was founded on February 19, 2015, by Dennis Gupton and Dana Granato. Dennis, a Tennessee native and avid Tennessee Volunteers fan, brought a strong passion for business, while Dana, a proud and charismatic New Jersey native, brought a love for cooking. Their paths crossed while working at a local restaurant, and they combined their talents to create North Meets South from the ground up.
The business started as a breakfast and lunch spot, serving doughnuts, short-order breakfast, and lunch options. Over time, they expanded to offer order-ahead, pick-up dinner meals for home heating, and eventually, catering services. As community demand and operational costs shifted, the business transitioned fully into catering and take-home meal services.
Fast forward 11 years, and we have expanded our services to once again deliver lunches to local schools. We have also opened our doors for community lunch service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, and we are in the process of relaunching the beloved order-ahead, pick-up meals due to overwhelming community requests. Additionally, we are converting our former dining space into a boutique 49-person venue, Crossroads at North Meets South, set to open by April 1st. This venue will be available for intimate gatherings, weddings, rehearsal dinners, church groups, birthday parties, retirement celebrations, and more. We are already booking events!
With my passion for Southern cuisine, especially dishes from the Charleston, SC, area, we will be specializing in classic Lowcountry favorites. These include shrimp and grits, Carolina-style pork BBQ with mustard-based sauce, Carolina hash—a dish with origins before the Civil War—low country boils, and she-crab soup. Our goal is to provide authentic Southern flavors that celebrate tradition and community.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
A Call to Pursue Your Passion

Each of us has a calling in life—something we can never quite get away from. It appears in the things we do, the careers we choose, and the passions that light a fire in us. If you have the opportunity to pursue that calling, do it! For each of us, it’s different. Mine is cooking and bringing joy to people through food. My wife’s is following in a long line of nurses and medical professionals, caring for those in times of sickness and need. I challenge each of you to find your own calling and chase it with everything you have. The journey may be difficult, full of challenges and obstacles that seem impossible, but if it is truly what you are meant to do, things will always work out in the end.

Pricing:

• Crossroads Venue $300-$500
• Wedding 50 people $1650 est.
• Wedding 100 -150 people $ 3200 est.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.northmeetsouthcatering.com
• Instagram: northmeetsouthcatering
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northsoutheat