Naperville catering business brings barbecue to you

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ThinkWerks of Naperville customizes instructional content and assessment to meet the learning needs and styles of individual learners to prepare them for the future. Pictured (from left) are Steven Schabacker, 10; Michelle Schabacker, 8; Anna Arriola, 8; Mia Kurland, 8; and Kelli Upton, 7. | Submitted by Tiffany Upton.

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Updated: November 8, 2011 12:32AM

Bring party to you

Barbecue catering for all occasions

Name: Double D Pig Roasts

Where: donbender@sbcglobal.net

Call: 708-473-5373

On the web: www.ddpigroast.com

Don Bender grew up in Naperville and graduated from Naperville Central High School. He caught the entrepreneurial bug from his father, Marty Bender, and started a pig roasting business in 2004.

After he had some financial difficulty in 2009, they restructured the business in January 2011 as DD Pig Roasts based in the Bender’s Naperville home.

“We will do over 100 pig roasts this year, many in Naperville and the surrounding areas,” says Marty Bender, general manager and part owner. “We have done graduations, weddings, birthdays, block parties, homeowners associations, swim club and corporate picnics with a lot of repeat business.”

DD Pig Roasts brings the party to the customer, cooks on site over charcoal, uses barbecue sauce manufactured solely for their company, and the pig becomes the main attraction.

“We do a lot of corporate events and have served as many as 3,000 people at an event,” Marty says. “We also do smaller family events, like a party for a family whose daughter was graduating from Naperville North and then we returned four years later when she graduated from college.”

DD Pig Roasts is inspected regularly by the Illinois Health Department and consistently passes with high marks.

Hours: By appointment

Townhome learners

Experimenting in kitchen for science

Name: ThinkWerks

Where: 1324 Woodchuck Lane, Naperville

Call: 708-738-0071

On the web: www.pbthinkwerks.com

ThinkWerks serves lifelong learners by providing individualized elementary education support, ISAT and CogAT testing prep and on-location computer software training for all ages.

Tiffany Upton and Andre Robinson own and operate ThinkWerks from their Naperville townhome.

“With two laptops loaded with the latest office software, a highly qualified certified teacher and kitchen-turned-science-lab, learning and fun for our students are limitless,” Upton says. “The front yard and kitchen are extensions of the classroom where students are challenged to apply what they’ve learned using kinesthetics; applying the scientific method using food in the pantry, freezer and refrigerator, and spices and herbs in the cabinet. Some of the kitchen science experiments they even eat!”

The couple runs Science Explorer Camps during the summer, as well as day and evening classes for adult learners who want to enhance their marketability through one-on-one or small group training in the latest business software. ThinkWerks customizes instructional content and assessment to meet the learning needs and styles of individual learners.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment.

Moving again

Ready for more useful spot

Name: Q Data Group

Where: 230 W. Diehl Road, Naperville

Call: 630-571-1730

On the web: www.qdatausa.com

In 2007, the Q Data Group of companies relocated to 200 E. 5th Ave. in Naperville because of the vibrant professional atmosphere and proximity to Chicago Highways, airports, train stations and other amenities. Since then, the company has grown enough to want more space.

“The recent decision to move to the Diehl Road location was a result of its location to amenities in the Naperville community, the amount of space that the building provided, and the opportunity to renovate a blank canvas,” said Michelle Plutz, marketing coordinator. “The new building provides enough space for the group to have a more collaborative atmosphere with more meeting spaces and offices, as well as accommodate future growth without the need to relocate in the future.”

The Q Data Group is comprised of three companies: Q Data USA, Reveal and expertIG. They promote a model of business maturity that involves implementation, information and integration, and helps clients gain an optimum level of performance for their businesses.

“In all, the Diehl Road location was a blank canvas to renovate; a contemporary space was created that reflects a group of thought leaders that are leading the way for many companies seeking business maturity,” Plutz says. “Once achieved, a high degree of business maturity will enhance organizational processes, cut costs, and increase the agility and speed of business operations that will enrich overall business performance.”

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Know of a business coming to Naperville or leaving us? Contact Kristen Kucharski at knkucharski@hotmail.com