A variety of elegantly plated gourmet dishes are artfully arranged on a blue tablecloth. The plates display vibrant vegetables, delicate garnishes, and unique presentations, showcasing elements such as carrots, beets, leafy greens, and seafood.
A small cocktail table with four chairs sits in the foreground of a brand event hall adorned with greenery and chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. Marinated Carrot Ribbon Salad

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.

1978
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2007
2008
2017
2024
A warmly lit dining area with a round wooden table set for six, surrounded by brick walls. The table features a flower centerpiece and dining ware. An archway leads to another room, and potted plants and a wall hanging add decorative touches.

Beginnings on Capitol Hill

We began as a small upscale restaurant in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of DC called The Broker.

The partners of Design Cuisine

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.

Menu Card for Princess Grace Foundation Gala 1984

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.

Tables and chairs set for a grand gala seated dinner.

Growth in Design

We opened the DC Rentals division, offering a more transformative dining experience for our clients.

A grand, elegantly decorated event hall features banquet tables with white floral centerpieces and candles. The backdrop includes large blue screens displaying a seal with the U.S. Capitol and the year 2017. The atmosphere is sophisticated and formal.

Presidential Inaugural Luncheon

We catered our first Presidential Inaugural Luncheon – and went on to cater each one since.

Architectural detail of Union Station's domed ceiling, illuminated by skylight.

Union Station

We became the exclusive caterer for Union Station, an architectural marvel and iconic destination in Washington. This partnership marked prolific strategic growth.

Exterior of large white home with red roof surrounded by trees with river in the background.

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.

Exterior of The Inn at Little Washington.

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.

A person in a grey apron is grating lime zest over a dish of seasoned chicken garnished with vegetables and herbs. The image includes the logo and text "Elior North America." The setting appears to be a culinary preparation or presentation.

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.

Green Restaurant Certified Badge - dinegreen.com
A white plate with a fresh salad of endive and Meyer lemon salad. Creamy white dressing is drizzled across the dish, which sits on a white marble surface. A wooden tray filled with vegetables and garnishes arranged artistically to resemble plants growing in soil.

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.

  • staff training in recycling practices icon Staff training
    in recycling practices
  • biodiesel fuel from cook used cooking oil icon Waste cooking oil
    converted to biodiesel fuel
  • biodegradable tableware icon Biodegradable
    Tableware

Meet the Team

Put a face to the people who make Design Cuisine the capital’s leading special event caterer.

Headshot of Shannon Shaffer
Least Favorite Food
Sea Urchin
Dream Vacation Destination
Lake Cuomo
Favorite Holiday
4th of July

Shannon Shaffer

VP of Operations
Headshot of Rachel Chadderdon
Least Favorite Food
Jello or anything of that consistency
Dream Vacation Destination
Italy
Favorite Holiday
4th of July

Rachel Chadderon

Regional Director of Sales
Headshot of Maggie Lahr
Least Favorite Food
Boba, Tapioca Pearls, anything “jelly”
Dream Vacation Destination
New Zealand
Favorite Holiday
Christmas

Maggie Lahr

General Manager, Design Cuisine Venues
Headshot of Mark Tempel
Least Favorite Food
Salmon
Dream Vacation Destination
The lakes of northern Wisconsin
Favorite Holiday
Thanksgiving

Mark Tempel

General Manager, DC Rental
Headshot of John Haywood
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
Headshot of Andro Franetovic
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
Headshot of Juan Flores
Least Favorite Food
Snake
Dream Vacation Destination
An African Safari
Go-To Kitchen Gadget
Utility Knife

Juan Flores

Executive Sous Production Chef
Headshot of Kevin McCloskey
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
Headshot of Lizzy Skelton
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
Headshot of Shannon Rollins
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
Headshot of Aldo Herrera
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
Headshot of Brian Patterson
Least Favorite Food
Mayonnaise
Dream Vacation Destination
Hawaii
Go-To Kitchen Gadget
The Slap Chop

Brian Patterson

Culinary Administrator
Headshot of Elena Hartranft
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
Headshot of Lorena Caero Ugarte
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
Headshot of Gunther Perez
Least Favorite Food
Eggplant
Dream Vacation Destination
Italy

Gunther Haas Perez

Scheduling Assistant
Headshot of Claudia Colbow
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
Headshot of Kris Murphy
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
Headshot of Leo Villatoro
Least Favorite Food
Onions
Dream Vacation Destination
Mexico
Go-To Comfort Meal
Anything. I love to eat!

Leo Villatoro

Purchasing Manager
Headshot of Miles Hunter
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
Headshot of Sara Giraldo
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
Headshot of Gabriel Osorio
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
Headshot of Ashley Rodgers
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
Headshot of Hannyel Benavidez
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
Headshot of Matlynn Mara
Least Favorite Food
Oysters
Dream Vacation Destination
Paris
Go-To Comfort Meal
Kraft Mac & Cheese with chicken and broccoli

Matlynn Mara

Event Producer
Headshot of Danielle Hanley
Least Favorite Food
Caviar
Dream Vacation Destination
Thailand
Go-To Comfort Meal
My mom's chicken marsala

Danielle Hanley

Event Producer
Headshot of Maria Pestana
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
Headshot of Kaylee Lambert
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
Headshot of Kent Smith
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
Headshot of Erica Fredericks
Least Favorite Food
Olives
Dream Vacation Destination
Japan
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Rasika West End

Erica Fredericks

Senior Account Executive
Headshot of Dede Byrnes
Least Favorite Food
Olives and fish sauce
Dream Vacation Destination
Kyoto, Japan
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Fiola Mare

Dede Byrnes

Senior Account Executive
Headshot of Jose Duran
Least Favorite Food
Pickles, olives, liver, peppers
Dream Vacation Destination
French Polynesia
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Zaytinya, Causa, Rania

Jose Duran

Account Executive
Headshot of Abbie Prince
Least Favorite Food
Licorice
Dream Vacation Destination
Japan
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Le Refuge in Old Town Alexandria

Abbie Prince

Account Executive
Headshot of Sarah Lusk
Least Favorite Food
Sauerkraut and olives
Dream Vacation Destination
Switzerland
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Filomena

Sarah Lusk

Account Executive
Headshot of Tracy Barlow
Least Favorite Food
Hot dogs
Dream Vacation Destination
England
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Le Diplomate

Tracy Barlow

Account Executive
Headshot of Devin Gramley
Least Favorite Food
Mushrooms
Dream Vacation Destination
Morocco
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
SHŌTŌ Washington DC

Devin Gramley

Account Associate
Headshot of Jennifer Davidson
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
Headshot of Claire Alink
Least Favorite Food
Spaghetti
Dream Vacation Destination
Bali Island
Favorite DC-area Restaurant
Medium Rare or Tachibana

Claire Alink

Account Associate

Careers

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.

See Open Positions