Meet Our Chicago Catering Team

Raised in a family of bakers and bakery owners, Carlos educated his passion for executing delicious sweets at the French Pastry School. Having an enormous background in delectable desserts and off-premise catering, he has streamlined our kitchen and operations to run like a well-oiled rolling pin.

Ramon has been a dedicated member of the Catered by Design team for over 14 years, bringing with him extensive expertise in cold food preparation. His creative touch is evident in the development of new dishes and signature cold recipes, such as dressings and specialty items. Working closely alongside our Executive Chef, Carlos, he plays a vital role in maintaining Catered by Design’s reputation as one of Chicago’s premier catering companies. One of his standout contributions is the beloved red pozole, a favorite among our clients.

With more than 25 years of unwavering dedication to Catered by Design, Noe stands as one of our most experienced and respected team members within the commissary. Over the years, he has grown alongside the company, taking on pivotal roles in both the hot line and high-profile events. He is consistently entrusted with responsibilities of the highest importance. His love for cooking is evident in every dish he creates, bringing the same care and passion he devotes to one of his personal culinary favorites: a traditional mole verde.

With four years at Catered by Design, Dagoberto has proven to be an invaluable asset in both the hot and cold kitchen. Known for infusing each dish with his personal touch and flavor, he consistently demonstrates dedication, adaptability, and a strong team spirit while always being ready to support his colleagues whenever needed. His strong work ethic and commitment make him a standout member of the culinary team. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and indulging in one of his favorite dishes: enchiladas.

After nearly 20 years of experience in the pastry department, Alejandro embraced a new challenge and transitioned to the role of Warehouse Manager at Catered by Design three years ago. Since then, he has excelled in his position, consistently demonstrating leadership and precision in every aspect of his work. Outside of the workplace, he enjoys spending quality time with his son and indulging in his favorite meals — whether it’s a classic carne asada with a cold beverage or a visit to a great seafood bar.

Ricardo is our top delivery specialist, known for his consistently positive attitude and reliability. With over 10 years at Catered by Design, he knows the ins and outs of navigating downtown efficiently, ensuring timely and smooth deliveries every time. A true team player, he takes pride in his work, and at the end of a long day, enjoys good food and a well-deserved cold beverage.

Being a culinary specialist of the Illinois National Guard 92G, Jasmine joined Catered by Design a year ago when touring different areas, one of these as a server among others. Her current role as Purchasing Chef Assistant demands more responsibility and commitment, and she gains more experience with each event that she helps make impeccable.

With 26 years of experience in the hospitality and catering industry, Laura brings a deep passion for people and a commitment to excellence in every event she leads. As an Event Captain, she takes pride in executing each event to its fullest potential—ensuring every detail is handled with precision, professionalism, and care. Laura thrives in fast-paced environments, leads with confidence, and believes that successful events are built on strong teamwork and thoughtful service. Whether it's an intimate gathering or a large-scale celebration, she approaches every occasion with the same level of dedication and enthusiasm.

Aukse started her hospitality career as a server at a staffing company and worked for multiple catering companies, until Catered by Design took notice of her and offered her a full-time server position. Within a year, she was promoted to Event Captain and has been a proud member of the Catered by Design team for almost 20 years. She takes great pride in ensuring smooth and efficient events from set up to service to cleanup. She is dedicated to making special events and celebrations successful and seamless. She is happy and grateful to be part of so many people’s special events.

As a fourth generation native Chicagoan, Wes developed his love of food when growing up in his family’s restaurant which was started by his grandparents. He received an education in architecture and design that gave him the tools to see and understand every detail needed for a successful project. He is grateful that he is able to merge his love of cuisine and design together here at Catered by Design.

Glenda has been a part of the CBD family for 2 years now. Working as a server and moving her way up to a Captain has been a great opportunity for her service industry career. Glenda has over 5 years of experience in hospitality and over 10 years of experience in the staffing industry which has molded her into the professional she is today. She is passionate about providing excellent customer service and creating a fun and memorable experience for you and your loved ones.

With a longstanding career in the service industry, Maria has had the privilege of cultivating her passion for delivering extraordinary experiences. Her 23-year flight attendant job with Cathay Pacific in Asia was followed by new opportunities at Sur la Table and the Levy Group in Ravinia, where she was a retail associate, kitchen assistant and seasonal line cook respectively. Now here at Catered by Design, her passion for the industry continues.

With over 10 years in the beverage industry, Lyndsay brings a strong foundation in customer service and a passion for delivering standout experiences. She thrives on creativity and excels at curating and shaping client ideas into memorable, tailored sumptuous solutions. Whether behind the scenes or client-facing, she combines industry expertise with a collaborative approach to turn visions into reality.

Matthew has been a part of the family-owned company since his teenage years and has excelled ever since. Now, he is the driving force behind Catered by Design’s drop-off division. His knowledge pours into creating flawless orders for both social and corporate entertaining.

Starting in his grandmother’s kitchen as just a young kid, working up into Executive Chef positions at multiple restaurants and opening a few of his own, Sam has a lifetime of experience under his belt. Deciding to settle down over 20 years ago and began his journey with CBD, he has built a loyal team to create and serve thousands of food & event-seeking clients.

During her years at Syracuse University, Corey has served as the Photo Editor / Director for multiple publications which has honed her eye for event and creative culinary photography and team management. Having a knack for visual arts and social media expertise, Corey curates a cohesive vision for CBD across digital platforms and print media, and she adores capturing the various incredible events that Catered by Design helps bring to life.

Rachel joined the Catered by Design team after graduating from Iowa State University majoring in Event Management. She has a sharp eye for details, trends, and insight in and around the industry. Her creativity boosts throughout the entire planning process making each client’s vision turn into a perfect event.

As a fourth generation native Chicagoan, Wes developed his love of food when growing up in his family’s restaurant which was started by his grandparents. He received an education in architecture and design that gave him the tools to see and understand every detail needed for a successful project. He is grateful that he is able to merge his love of cuisine and design together here at Catered by Design.

Erin worked her way through the industry while studying Hospitality Administration & Management at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She has a strong attention to detail and loves being part of creating those special experiences and events, leaving a lasting memory with her past clients.

Coming from the upstanding field of Country Club dining and events, Jen has surpassed the expectations of her clients here at Catered by Design. Her participation in multiple areas within the company allows her to provide the invaluable knowledge her clients need to fulfill their dream event.

Ramon has been a dedicated member of the Catered by Design team for over 14 years, bringing with him extensive expertise in cold food preparation. His creative touch is evident in the development of new dishes and signature cold recipes, such as dressings and specialty items. Working closely alongside our Executive Chef, Carlos, he plays a vital role in maintaining Catered by Design’s reputation as one of Chicago’s premier catering companies. One of his standout contributions is the beloved red pozole, a favorite among our clients.

With more than 25 years of unwavering dedication to Catered by Design, Noe stands as one of our most experienced and respected team members within the commissary. Over the years, he has grown alongside the company, taking on pivotal roles in both the hot line and high-profile events. He is consistently entrusted with responsibilities of the highest importance. His love for cooking is evident in every dish he creates, bringing the same care and passion he devotes to one of his personal culinary favorites: a traditional mole verde.

Raised in a family of bakers and bakery owners, Carlos educated his passion for executing delicious sweets at the French Pastry School. Having an enormous background in delectable desserts and off-premise catering, he has streamlined our kitchen and operations to run like a well-oiled rolling pin.

With a longstanding career in the service industry, Maria has had the privilege of cultivating her passion for delivering extraordinary experiences. Her 23-year flight attendant job with Cathay Pacific in Asia was followed by new opportunities at Sur la Table and the Levy Group in Ravinia, where she was a retail associate, kitchen assistant and seasonal line cook respectively. Now here at Catered by Design, her passion for the industry continues.

With four years at Catered by Design, Dagoberto has proven to be an invaluable asset in both the hot and cold kitchen. Known for infusing each dish with his personal touch and flavor, he consistently demonstrates dedication, adaptability, and a strong team spirit while always being ready to support his colleagues whenever needed. His strong work ethic and commitment make him a standout member of the culinary team. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and indulging in one of his favorite dishes: enchiladas.

Being an Operations Manager means wearing many hats and that is certainly true for Tami. She brings to the table over 25 years of administrative experience coupled with her training as a chef from Kendall College. Tami is particularly adept at creating custom recipes and menus for clients looking for an exceptionally unique experience.