Ludger’s Catering Continues Enduring Legacy of Founder
By EMILY RAMSEY
Managing Editor
TULSA NATIVES: Scott and Megan Sherrill took ownership of Ludger’s Catering from founder and chef Ludger Schulz in 2009. In addition to offering full catering services, Ludger’s Catering also offers centerpieces and decorations for event rental.
EMILY RAMSEY for GTR Newspapers
Ludger’s Catering, a Tulsa-based company that flourished for over 25 years under the ownership of founder and chef Ludger Schulz, continues to see growth under the helm of current owners Scott and Megan Sherrill.
The Sherrills, both native Tulsans with extensive restaurant and culinary backgrounds, purchased Ludger’s Catering in 2009.
When the Sherrills took over the catering business, they were careful to maintain the business largely as Schulz left it, including the name.
“We didn’t feel like we needed to change the name; the name has a long-standing reputation in the community,” says Scott, who met Schulz when Scott was teaching in Oklahoma State University’s culinary department. “It was also important to (Schulz) that we not change everything but just to freshen the business.”
Much of that freshening has come through the Sherrills’ observations of their clients’ changing needs.
While the business has always provided full-service catering and the necessary supplies, including waitstaff and linens, a need began to develop with many of our corporate clients for a turn-key event, says Scott.
So, the Sherrills began providing centerpieces and decor items and stumbled onto a largely unfilled need.
“There are not a lot of rental options in Tulsa for centerpieces,” says Megan. “Oftentimes, individuals have to buy the pieces.”
As corporate clients began utilizing the decor offerings, “the brides started seeing what we were offering,” Megan continues. “And because we rent our decorations, we can price them lower.”
While corporate events remain a large portion of their catering business, “I would say that we have quadrupled the business regarding number of weddings,” Megan says.
Ludger’s Catering is also fully licensed and insured to serve alcohol and offers a rentable freestanding bar with lights and bartenders and/or servers.
“People like to go to one place for everything when planning an event,” Megan says.
While Megan takes charge of the event planning and decorations, Scott, with his culinary background, focuses on menu planning and food preparation.
Early in his career, Scott worked as a sous chef for local chef Michael Fusco and as executive chef at Montereau retirement community before returning to his alma mater to teach. He met Schulz due to Schulz’s friendship with those in ’s culinary department.
“(Schulz) told me that he was ready to retire,” Scott remembers.
Scott, later, went to work for Schulz in order to learn about the business and to get to know his catering customers. “We came as close to a handshake deal as you can nowadays,” he says.
Looking to the future, the Sherrills hope to soon move into a larger building, as they have outgrown their current 5,000-square-foot space, located at 6120-A E. 32nd Pl. As they expand, they plan to grow their rental and centerpiece business, which already includes a large number of holiday-themed items.
Ludger’s also offers pre-made meals for the holidays, including Easter, that can be picked up at their location or delivered. The Easter meal includes Baby Spinach Salad, Garlic-Studded Roast Leg of Lamb and/or Honey-Glazed Pit Ham, Five-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes, Sautéed Green Beans, and a dessert sampler.
To place an order or for more information, visit ludgerscatering.com or call 918-744-9988.
Updated 04-04-2017
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