Meeting Natalie Rocco is like meeting a bundle of energy. Her background is in IT, but that didn’t satisfy her passion, so she enrolled in the Art Institute of Charlotte’s Culinary Program. There she met her husband, Christopher, and found he had grown up close to her own small town in New Jersey. Now they are planning their own place with Restaurant 1929 in Gastonia, but have made a name for themselves as vendors in the Waxhaw Farmer’s Market as Miracles By Nature. Famous for their Bacon Jam (sourced from local hogs that they smoke themselves), Natalie, Christopher, and Miracles By Nature have been involved with Waxhaw for the last three years. Natalie says, “I don’t mind the drive. Waxhaw opened their doors to me and it feels like home.”
Natalie and Christoper will need a lot of energy for their next big project to create something new in Waxhaw, and Union County, with a pop-up restaurant. Instead of a traditional pop-up where you go out to eat, the Rocco’s are offering a “take out” style where you order ahead of time and get to pick up a fully prepared meal that you can then take home and enjoy with your family. Natalie explains, “Think of it as a Food Truck without the Truck. We are a fully licensed restaurant that doesn’t have a facility yet.” You won’t see the same menu twice, since the Rocco’s source as much as possible locally in Waxhaw and Union County. Using Grace Roots Farm protein, products from Sopresso Coffee, Olive Crate and Olive on Tap, and produce from Boy and Girl Farm, Debhar Farm, and Specialty Farm, they create a seasonal menu that rotates regularly. They are floating between locations right now, working with the Town of Waxhaw and local venues to find convenient places to serve from. The menu, ordering, and location info can be found on their website, http://www.restaurant1929.com.
The Roccos are also working with Grace Roots Farm for a Farm Breakfast to celebrate Grace Roots’ One Year Anniversary. Including a buffet style breakfast featuring chicken and waffles, sausage, fritatta, and seasonal fruit, with coffee, milk, and orange juice, this Farm Breakfast will also include a guided tour of Grace Roots Farm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. They must be purchased ahead of time and can be found on www.gracerootsfarm.com. Reservations are limited and must be made by May 15.
