Our Team

Kate Conaway, General Manager

Maybe being born into a large Irish family gave Kate her innate talent for hosting events, but she says it’s her clients who taught her to really trust her instincts. If she thinks a customer won’t be happy, she trusts that sense and fixes whatever needs to change. 

It’s safe to say that no one in the catering world works harder than Kate. Her grandmother, a single working mom in the 50’s, set the example with her own strong work ethic and a “can-do” attitude. Kate actually relaxes by working out at the gym (although you can occasionally find her reading under an umbrella, down the shore). 

As her four kids can attest, her biggest pet peeve is laziness. Kate sees herself as an advocate for a couple’s needs, wants and vision, and she works to exceed all their expectations. She also knows what makes guests happy: being greeted at arrival so they immediately feel the hospitality and warmth tops her list. She knows a couple needs time for themselves built in to the event, otherwise they get swept up in the timeline and don’t get the chance to savor the moments that make memories of their incredibly special event. 

Expect the planning process with Kate to be remarkably low-stress, because she’s always one step ahead, working to give you the ease to enjoy the process and, especially, your event.   

Leslie Cervenka, Director of Business Operations

Leslie is fluent in details and logistics (some might say obsessed, but in a good way). It’s practically guaranteed she’s already thought of everything on your list, and her list has things that never crossed your mind! She does this so your experience is flawless and so you’re able to just enjoy the time with your partner and guests on your very special day.

Leslie’s collects cookbooks, and she treasures the handwritten notes in the books handed down from family members. She’s a “HUGE” Broadway fan, and loves old songs that bring back memories of special people in her life. She learned to love traveling with her family as a kid, and she continues the tradition with her family now, with their 7 year old in tow. She loves a dry sense of humor, buffalo wings, and the Phillies. 

She may not strike you as a sentimental person off the bat, but it’s because Leslie values these personal connections that she works so hard to make your day purely enjoyable - so you can be in each moment and soak it all in, knowing everything is taken care of. 

She’ll be sure you have food and drinks, and that your dress gets bustled, and the music is cued on time, and your guests are well cared-for at all times. You can trust her years of experience managing things behind the scenes, so that everything looks (and is) seamless. Afterwards, you’ll say you couldn’t imagine doing it all without her!

Kelly Mahoney, Sales Manager

Kelly grew up in Saddle River, NJ and attended St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She loved her communication courses there, and it’s no wonder – she has a natural talent for connecting with people! 

The planning process is a close working relationship, and clients have great things to say about planning with Kelly. It’s easy to reach Kelly with questions and to talk through things that pop up throughout the planning process. She relies on her years of event planning experience to guide clients through difficult decisions -  and they trust her because she so clearly cares about the people she works with, she wants their event to be a total success.

From the first meeting (often a venue tour), Kelly is eager to get to know clients and their vision. She loves the journey that evolves from that first meeting, and working through the details all the way through to the special day. 

Kelly loves all types of pasta and pizza, almost as much as she enjoys time on the beach at LBI. She somehow finds time for yoga and pilates, and if shopping could be considered a sport, she’s a semi-pro. Her favorite part about attending a wedding as a guest is the cocktail hour, as much for the conversation as for the signature drinks. It’s the best time to connect and enjoy the celebration!