by Michael Vyskocil, photography by Nikola Tzenov

Collision Course

Collision Course
61 E. Main St., Westminster
410-220-6101
CollisionCourseMD.com

The Café at Tech Court
1231 Tech Court, Westminster
443-726-7972

Where Great Food and Community Come Together 

Tony & Ashley Gerald Collision Course

Tony & Ashley Gerald

It’s mid-afternoon along East Main Street in Westminster. As school buses wrap up their afternoon routes and commuters scurry home from their workplaces, the team at Collision Course is waiting to welcome those seeking good food in the company of good friends and family.

As a new addition to the downtown Westminster restaurant community, Collision Course serves up some of the best Southern-inspired soul food in the county. The establishment has been a labor of love for co-owners Ashley and Tony Gerald, who have poured their hearts and souls into creating a distinctive restaurant experience complete with the comforts of home.

The couple’s initial concept to launch a food truck serving tacos took a few twists and turns. Tony, who has worked for several food establishments throughout his culinary career, wanted to manage his own restaurant. Ashley, whose experience in the food service industry began at age 16 at the Bachman Valley Inn in Manchester, has always loved seeking innovative ways to use food to bring people together.

Collision Course

Fried Chicken with Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Potato Salad

From 2021 to 2022, the Geralds held “Collision Course Mondays” at their home, inviting family and friends for some R&D food and fun. The feedback they gathered proved as invaluable as the mentorship Tony received from Susan Nardyz of Westminster’s RockSalt Grille.

Participation in several festivals also gave the Geralds an opportunity to find out what Carroll Countians love to eat and want to eat. Their involvement in the 2022 Carroll Biz challenge also gave them a chance to share their small business story with the Carroll community.

The pair sought a brick-and-mortar home to launch their concept, landing at 61 E. Main St. in downtown Westminster. The mid-1800s building’s high ceilings and original wood flooring contribute to its quaint character.

“We wanted a place that was warm and welcoming — a feeling that you were walking into grandma’s house,” Ashley says.

Their concept and its name, Collision Course, “reflect the collision of our work experiences and life experiences colliding into courses for our guests,” Tony says.

Collision Course

Grilled Fish Caribbean Style with Collard Greens and Candied Sweet Potatoes

“Some of our dishes are inspired by places we’ve worked prior,” Ashley says, “but a lot of the dishes on the menu are inspired by foods Tony grew up eating.”

The Southern-inspired cuisine that makes up the menu is full of comfort food favorites ideal for enjoying not only during the winter but also throughout the year.

Take the Soul Bowl, for example — a combo of Tony’s house-made macaroni and cheese served with candied sweet potatoes, collard greens and a protein such as pulled pork. “It’s a yummy smorgasbord of goodness,” Tony says.

Guests can also indulge in silky cheddar grits topped with Cajun red peppers and onions, bacon crumbles, green onions and your choice of grilled shrimp, chicken or blackened grilled fish.

From appetizers to main courses, every dish at Collision Course is a feast for the eyes and the palate. The barbecued chicken egg rolls feature a savory combo of barbecued chicken, bacon and onions layered with a mixture of cheeses and seasonings and tucked inside crispy wonton wrappers.

Collision Course

Shrimp & Grits Collision Style

Entrees at Collision Course carry on the Southern comfort food feeling paired with Tony’s bold flavors.

Sink your teeth into the most tender seasoned pork shanks or pulled pork, or slide your fork into the flakiest grilled or fried wild-caught hake (whiting) coated in a power-packed house-made Caribbean jerk seasoning and served with your choice of Caribbean, Thai chili or one of several house-made barbecue sauces. Fried chicken tenders come to the table hand-breaded and ready to deliver a crunch in the mouth with every bite.

In addition to the food menu, Collision Course’s cocktail program offers robust, refreshing Southern-inspired specialties. Your first instinct might be to take two looks when you see the Signature Moonshine Cocktail selection — moonshine in Carroll County? — but don’t be intimidated: Collision Course’s moonshine is regulated with an alcohol content similar to vodka.

Collision Course

Elderberry Yum Yum

The aptly named “Elderberry Yum Yum” blends the flavors of lemonade, moonshine and elderberry syrup produced by The Elderberry Cabin in Keymar. “The Loving” bares delicate but distinctive citrus notes with its combination of lemonade, lemonade moonshine and sweet tea. Several cocktail selections are also available in nonalcoholic forms.

As 2025 unfolds, Ashley says guests can look forward to a new extended menu that builds on the dishes from its 2024 starter menu. This year will also mark the second anniversary of Collision Course’s food service operations at The Café at Tech Court inside FR Conversions, which serves breakfast and lunch on the weekdays.

Reflecting on the growth and continued evolution of Collision Course, Ashley recalls a quote from former First Lady Michelle Obama: “We learned about gratitude and humility — that so many people had a hand in our success.”

“There are literally so many people to thank for helping us and offering us support,” she says.