B ehind every event, there’s an army of under-recognized team members working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every bite, sip, and detail of an event runs seamlessly. These unsung heroes may not always be in the spotlight, but without them, the magic of catering wouldn’t be possible. “Each role, no matter how small it seems, contributes to the overall customer experience,” says Julie Baron (Proof of the Pudding). “These unsung heroes of hospitality are the heart and soul of every memorable event, often sacrificing their own family time and celebrations.” Let’s take a moment to appreciate the vital contributions of these often-overlooked professionals. Catersource magazine asked caterers to share the team members who help make their businesses successful. As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” In catering, that village includes countless hands and hearts working in harmony to create memorable moments. So, let’s shine a light on their invaluable contributions—they deserve it.
Toni (Antoinette) Cinque event captain at Blue Elephant Events and Catering Toni (Antoinette) Cinque has been with Blue Elephant Events and Catering for over five years and her willingness to observe and report has been indispensable; she takes the initiative and becomes the eyes and ears of the entire event while keeping in constant contact with the owners and/or event captain. She has perfected the art of being instantly invisible or appearing out of nowhere when a need arises. “The front-of-house team members are the true unsung heroes for one reason: they are the eyes and ears of the entire production. They are the ones who assemble the front-of-house materials, they're the first in line for questions, compliments, and complaints (if any). They have a finger on the pulse of the mood of the crowd, and the ability to affect change on that mood in certain circumstances,” says Reuben Bell (Blue Elephant Events and Catering). “These front-of-house team members are the backbone of every production because they have a handle on what the guests are doing and what is happening in the kitchen and keep the intersection of the two open for communication.”
Toni (Antoinette) Cinque is an Event Captain at Blue Elephant Events and Catering. Photo courtesy Blue Elephant Events and Catering Gladys Rios supervisor at Schaffer LA Gladys Rios has been with Schaffer LA since its beginnings and has experience across a wide variety of roles. She has acted as a server, event captain, buffet designer, supervisor, and has been known to moonlight as a kitchen assistant. Basically, she has done it all. “Her positive attitude and enthusiasm, dedication to the brand, and genuine values have been paramount to Schaffer,” says Kathleen Schaffer. “Not only is she a wonderful person but is always reliable and a pleasure to work with.”
Gladys Rios has worn many hats at Schaffer LA, including server, event captain, buffet designer, and supervisor. Photo courtesy Schaffer LA
CATERSOURCE ■ SPRING 2025 CATERSOURCE ■ SUMMER 2025
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