About
Where Tradition Meets Innovation
It’s a blend of creativity and trust that has made Design Cuisine a premier event caterer in Washington for more than 35 years. We infuse culinary artistry with stunning event design, ensuring quality service for every occasion. No matter what your event calls for, we will tailor every moment to your needs, offering a stress-free experience led by your vision.
Beginnings on Capitol Hill
We began as a small upscale restaurant in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of DC called The Broker.
Off-Site Catering
The restaurant received its first opportunity to cater off-site when a regular patron of our restaurant asks for our services for a private event. It was the perfect opportunity to expand their business. And come 1983, Design Cuisine is officially established by founders Bill Homan, Steve Veletsis and Horst Klein.
Princess Grace Foundation Dinner
We had the honor of catering the Inaugural Gala Benefit of the American chapter of the Princess Grace Foundation. Attendees included leading American politicians and Monaco’s royal family.
Growth in Design
We opened the DC Rentals division, offering a more transformative dining experience for our clients.
Presidential Inaugural Luncheon
We catered our first Presidential Inaugural Luncheon – and went on to cater each one since.
Union Station
We became the exclusive caterer for Union Station, an architectural marvel and iconic destination in Washington. This partnership marked prolific strategic growth.
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Cementing our stronghold in the region’s most historic places, we became the exclusive caterer for George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia.
Inn at Little Washington
For the 30th anniversary of the iconic Inn at Little Washington, we curated a multi-course feast for the star-studded affair. Our partnership with the Michelin & James Beard award-winning restaurant continues to present.
The Elior Family
Design Cuisine joined the Elior North America family in a strategic company sale, allowing us to leverage on a larger scale and expand our reach nationally alongside multiple sister brands.
A Brand Refresh
Design Cuisine unveils a brand refresh to embody their forward-looking vision and relentless evolution, while honoring our rich heritage where timelessness meets innovation.
Sustainability
Design Cuisine is proud to be a 3 Star Certified Green CatererⓇ. We have implemented more than 50 environmental steps to operate in a more sustainable manner, including a Comprehensive Recycling System.
We believe sustainability in food is a responsibility to our guests, a commitment to local farms, and an opportunity to celebrate without remarkable costs to our planet.
In the kitchen, we use hormone-free, locally sourced ingredients, follow sustainable seafood guidelines, and practice snout-to-tail butchering to reduce waste. Single-stream recycling, using ENERGY STAR products, and making biodiesel fuel from recycled cooking oil are just a few of our standard practices. When it’s time to set the table, we promote reusable tableware and biodegradable options, sew and launder linens in-house, and train our staff on recycling and green practices.
At Design Cuisine, our commitment to eco-friendly solutions is always evolving. By making better choices consistently, we bring more than just taste and presentation to the plate. We ensure a future rich in culinary excellence.
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Staff training
in recycling practices -
Waste cooking oil
converted to biodiesel fuel -
Biodegradable
Tableware
Meet the Team
Put a face to the people who make Design Cuisine the capital’s leading special event caterer.
- Least Favorite Food
- Sea Urchin
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Lake Cuomo
- Favorite Holiday
- 4th of July
Shannon Shaffer
VP of Operations
- Least Favorite Food
- Jello or anything of that consistency
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Italy
- Favorite Holiday
- 4th of July
Rachel Chadderon
Regional Director of Sales
- Least Favorite Food
- Boba, Tapioca Pearls, anything “jelly”
- Dream Vacation Destination
- New Zealand
- Favorite Holiday
- Christmas
Maggie Lahr
General Manager, Design Cuisine Venues
- Least Favorite Food
- Salmon
- Dream Vacation Destination
- The lakes of northern Wisconsin
- Favorite Holiday
- Thanksgiving
Mark Tempel
General Manager, DC Rental
- Least Favorite Food
- Tripe & Onions
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Pedaling through the rugged terrain of the Pyrenees, feeling the rush of adrenaline as I tackle a thrilling odyssey of discovery… of course, with my wife's permission.
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- Mandoline
John Haywood
Executive Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Road trip through the Middle East to immerse myself in the diverse landscapes, traditions, flavors, and aromas of this remarkable region.
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- Blender
Andro Franetovic
Executive Sous Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Snake
- Dream Vacation Destination
- An African Safari
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- Utility Knife
Juan Flores
Executive Sous Production Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Sea Cucumber
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Coastal sailing through the Northwest Passage
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- Mandoline
Kevin McCloskey
Executive Sous Event Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Green Peas
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Road trip around Iceland to see the northern lights
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- Baby offset spatula
Lizzy Skelton
Executive Pastry Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Liver, kidneys, cilantro
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Africa for culture, history, adventure, and a breathtaking experience
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- Petty/Utility knife
Shannon Rollins
Sous Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Liver, plantains, blood sausages
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Antarctica
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- A knife and a lighter
Aldo Vega Herrera
Sous Chef
- Least Favorite Food
- Mayonnaise
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Hawaii
- Go-To Kitchen Gadget
- The Slap Chop
Brian Patterson
Culinary Administrator
- Least Favorite Food
- None! I love all the food and think you should try everything you’ve been offered at least once. Otherwise, you’ll never know what life is all about!
- Dream Vacation Destination
- A sunny beach with palm trees, very blue water, and a fancy drink in my hand.
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Soups!
Elena Hartranft
Director of Service
- Least Favorite Food
- Crawfish
- Dream Vacation Destination
- A tour of all the countries in Europe and Bora Bora Island
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Soup and lasagna
Lorena Caero Ugarte
Staffing Manager
- Least Favorite Food
- Eggplant
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Italy
Gunther Haas Perez
Scheduling Assistant
- Least Favorite Food
- Pizza and fast food
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Southern Italy
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Sancocho Gallina, a traditional hen soup from my home country of Colombia
Claudia Colbow
Scheduling Assistant
- Least Favorite Food
- Oysters
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Vulcan Point Island
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Maple bacon pot roast with honey truffle mashed potatoes
Kristopher Murphy
Purchasing Manager
- Least Favorite Food
- Onions
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Mexico
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Anything. I love to eat!
Leo Villatoro
Purchasing Manager
- Least Favorite Food
- Green bell peppers
- Dream Vacation Destination
- The two-in-one: a beautiful rainforest with a pristine beach
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Pasta or Asian cuisine
Miles Hunter
Beverage Manager
- Least Favorite Food
- Chocolate
- Dream Vacation Destination
- The two-in-one: a beautiful rainforest with a pristine beach
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Pasta or Asian cuisine
Sara Giraldo
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Blue Cheese
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Enjoying the crystal clear waters and white sands on the beaches of Venezuela
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Fried chicken that’s so crispy and juicy, it makes you spontaneously applause after every bite
Gabriel Osorio
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Pickles
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Impossible to pick one place! Thailand, a tour of Switzerland, the Cyclades, and an African safari are top of my list!
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Any form of potato!
Ashley Rodgers
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Pasta
- Dream Vacation Destination
- In a small beach house in Bluefields, Nicaragua
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Dessert, especially chocolate
Hannyel Bennavidez
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Oysters
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Paris
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Kraft Mac & Cheese with chicken and broccoli
Matlynn Mara
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Caviar
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Thailand
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- My mom's chicken marsala
Danielle Hanley
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Salad
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Maldives
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- Short ribs with mashed potatoes, only made by my husband
Maria Pestana
Event Producer
- Least Favorite Food
- Seafood, especially shrimp and salmon
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Amalfi Coast
- Go-To Comfort Meal
- A big bowl of my mom’s chili with cornbread
Kaylee Lambert
Office Administrator
- Least Favorite Food
- Salmon and anything with too much melty cheese
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Egypt to see the pyramids
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Georgia Brown's or my local Clyde's
Kent Smith
Creative Director
- Least Favorite Food
- Olives
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Japan
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Rasika West End
Erica Fredericks
Senior Account Executive
- Least Favorite Food
- Olives and fish sauce
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Kyoto, Japan
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Fiola Mare
Dede Byrnes
Senior Account Executive
- Least Favorite Food
- Pickles, olives, liver, peppers
- Dream Vacation Destination
- French Polynesia
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Zaytinya, Causa, Rania
Jose Duran
Account Executive
- Least Favorite Food
- Licorice
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Japan
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Le Refuge in Old Town Alexandria
Abbie Prince
Account Executive
- Least Favorite Food
- Sauerkraut and olives
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Switzerland
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Filomena
Sarah Lusk
Account Executive
- Least Favorite Food
- Hot dogs
- Dream Vacation Destination
- England
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Le Diplomate
Tracy Barlow
Account Executive
- Least Favorite Food
- Mushrooms
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Morocco
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- SHŌTŌ Washington DC
Devin Gramley
Account Associate
- Least Favorite Food
- BBQ – but mainly the sides
- Dream Vacation Destination
- All the locations in the song “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys: Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Fiola Mare
Jennifer Davidson
Account Associate
- Least Favorite Food
- Spaghetti
- Dream Vacation Destination
- Bali Island
- Favorite DC-area Restaurant
- Medium Rare or Tachibana
Claire Alink
Account AssociateCareers
When you work at Design Cuisine, you’re part of a community that supports your professional and personal growth as you foster a career in the culinary and hospitality industry. We’re committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce, and we believe that true success is achieved when the opinions, influences, and tastes of all of our team members are equally represented at our table.
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