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Mediterra to set up shop at Wickliffe House by Heather Woolwine Public Relations After the abrupt exit of Brett’s from the Wickliffe House, much mystery surrounded the fate of catered events already planned and lunch in the historic setting. Mystery solved…earlier this month, Mediterra Catering stepped up to plate, food that is. To the relief of 17 wedding parties and event organizers at St. Luke’s Chapel, Mediterra plans to cater previously booked events for the popular Wickliffe House. Well-known as a destination for a fabulous reception, Mediterra plans to continue making events and parties at the Wickliffe House a success while opening daily for lunch beginning April 1. “The Health Sciences Foundation is very excited to have Mediterra involved in the Wickliffe House and to help honor its special bond to MUSC,” said Tom Anderson, Health Sciences Foundation CEO. “I encourage the entire MUSC community, and the community at large, to support Mediterra in their Wickliffe venture. In many ways, MUSC will be the long-term beneficiary of their success.” “First and foremost, we are a catering company and have been serving the Charleston area for seven years,” said Wendy Gleim, owner and executive chef. “But we know that we can provide a gourmet lunch at truly reasonable prices. Our lunch menu will include items people enjoy eating during that time of day, like a great homemade sandwich, salad or soup. And no entrées will be priced above six dollars.” Jeff Gleim, Wendy's husband and co-owner of Mediterra, felt that the new lunch menu at the Wickliffe house needed to reflect the charm of the house itself, as well as include items that were quick and easy to make. “We don’t want lunch here to be super stiff or prissy, instead we like to describe it as a tea room concept,” she said. “That doesn’t mean high tea, but instead is representative of a simple, delicious luncheon within a historic environment.” Indeed, Gleim’s plans include a “tea-bar” where patrons may sample different teas and nibble on small items like muffins or bagels. For those who prefer a more hearty lunch, orders will be taken at a counter in the back of the house and diners encouraged to relax in the dining room while waiting for their food to be prepared. Gleim recognizes that many faculty, staff, or students don’t have the time for a sit-down, served lunch and wants to accommodate those schedules.  “We want to provide gourmet lunch without gourmet prices, turn the house into an atmosphere that a party of six or one can be comfortable and enjoy lunch, and be receptive to a high take-out volume as well,” Gleim said. But Gleim is not one to turn a blind-eye to the importance of providing an atmosphere for executive-style lunches as well.  With a solid track record of catering in other historic venues like the Blacklock House, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, the Governor Thomas-Bennett House, and the Gibbes Museum of Art, Mediterra will reserve the Wickliffe’s upstairs space for catered corporate lunches. “These types of lunches will include a plated three- course meal on china with servers,” Gleim said. “With three days notice, we will be more than happy and able to accommodate those who require a more upscale, yet close to campus lunch experience.” For more information concerning menu selections or general information about Mediterra, go to http://www.mediterracatering.com. “I’m delighted that Mediterra assumed responsibility for the Wickliffe House,” said Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC president. “They are an experienced team with a wonderful reputation in the community. They’re excited about providing this service and I’m sure that they will do an excellent job.” Gleim believes the bottom-line in all of her plans for the Wickliffe lie in valuing relationships. “I believe that we’ve been successful in the past and will continue to be in the future because we have an amazing staff with an incredible sense of ownership in the company, and because we value what we believe all of our clients desire,” she said. “We now have a relationship with the Wickliffe House and a responsibility to represent the space the way it deserves to be for all those who may come here to dine with us. Whether we’re catering an event or offering homemade lunch, we want this house and our service here to make people feel comfortable and satisfied.” Sounds like Southern hospitality personifies the Wickliffe once again.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.