Owners: Vincent and Ann Farro
By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
Chefs Vincent and Ann Farro have owned the enormously popular Pinch of Love Catering for ten years in New Bern. In the past year, they have started a new pop-up restaurant, Craven Social, at 417-B South Front St.
They have enjoyed a great following since their pop-up opening, with three dinners that have all sold out. Hosting an international themed meal each month on a Tuesday, the New Bern community has shown up in droves. Apparently, their slogan, “food first, always fresh, always delicious” is decidedly true.
Upcoming events are on August 12 for Italian night and September 30 for French night. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming events: https://www.facebook.com/vincent.farro.3
“We love what we do and it shows,” says Chef Vincent. “We live in New Bern and we love the hospitality business. My wife Ann and I ensure quality, high-end dining, plus an event, not just a dinner. We offer a total culinary experience, including private in-home dinners.”
The 417-B South Front St venue seats 32 people, and 75 people as a cocktail style party. They specialize in all kinds of memorable events, such as for weddings, rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, birthdays, holiday events, and more.
Of course, as a catering company, they can also host in a variety of other New Bern locations such as the Riverfront Convention Center, the History Center, the Gardens at Isaac Taylor, Lawsons on the Creek, Brewery 99, and the Maola Center, amongst others.
The Farro’s have been in business for 28 years, starting their journey in Princeton, NJ before moving to New Bern. “My wife Ann and I have been in the hospitality business most of our lives. Our passion and attention to detail dictates the path to our success. We’ve owned a four-star Italian Mediterranean restaurant in Princeton where we created a wonderful and memorable dining experience. Ann and I are both great chefs, but our forte is in the front of the house where we orchestrate the magic that happens in a well-run restaurant. Although food is what we’re serving, we’re also serving a memorable, fine dining experience.”
Vincent and Ann have been in the catering and restaurant business for most of their lives. They consider themselves to be “the magnificent duo.” According to Chef Ann, “We bounce off each other to make our clients feel like they are in our home not our restaurant. Our passion and love shines when we are deep in an event. We gel, we perform and we entertain.”
The couple have known each other since we were twelve-years-old, and met in a small town in New Jersey, in an Italian community. They went to high school together and started dating in 1978. Although they broke up and married other people, they reconnected again in 1998.
“When we came back together, we opened a 300 seat restaurant together in Princeton, and we have been together ever since,” says Vince.
Some things are just meant to be.
And their story continues: come enjoy a beautiful evening at Craven Social 417-B South Front Street, or call Vince and Ann to cater your special event—and make some unforgettable memories.