Abbey Catering Team
When you put a group of professionals who are incredibly good at their jobs together, magic happens. Here at Abbey Catering, we're like a well-cooked stew, each of us contributing a distinct flavor, yet harmonizing to make something utterly extraordinary. We cherish our tight-knit camaraderie as it fuels our dedication to making your celebrations as fantastic as can be.
Meet the heart and soul behind Abbey Catering! Our remarkable crew, seasoned with years of expertise, individual quirks, and heaps of passion, takes immense pride in what we do. From crafting show-stopping events to serving delectable dishes, we're the ace team that turns your special moments into cherished memories.
Come, Say Hello!
Our offices are in National City, and we're happy to chat with you virtually or face to face at your convenience.
Megan Lessert, General Manager
Megan Lessert, General Manager
Megan Lessert, General Manager
Megan’s the guiding hand who loves to bring dreams to life. She finds joy in planning and loves how food can unite people across cultures. Her passion for astronomy and stars is only matched by her love for planning stellar events.
Megan has donned many hats—from teaching and banking to becoming our General Manager. Now and then she stops working and you'll her on the pickleball court and SUP-ing on Mission Bay.
David Merlo, Executive Chef
Megan Lessert, General Manager
Megan Lessert, General Manager
Meet David, the maestro behind our delicious dishes. A former bowling champ, he delights in elevating ordinary recipes to culinary masterpieces.
David is an ex-champion bowler and takes pride in elevating and refining traditional recipes. He's a fan of all sports and enjoys diving into books on psychology and enlightenment.
Troy Sand, Sales
Megan Lessert, General Manager
Troy Sand, Sales
Former NYC & Bay Area Chef at Michelin Star restaurants, Troy brings a level of sophistication and professionalism to everything he does. Troy loves nothing more than helping you stay organized for your big day. Living the beach life in Oceanside with his family, he finds thrill in adventure—whether it’s hiking or rock climbing. Troy's dream would be exploring Middle Earth and yes, he loves a loaded California Burrito!
Will Konecki, Sales
Chuck Ferrante, Wedding Coordinator & Bar Manager
Chuck Ferrante, Wedding Coordinator & Bar Manager
Will's your go-to guy for all things sales. With a journey that began at the tender age of 15, he's dabbled in every role the hospitality industry has to offer. If you're keen on hosting a gathering that people will talk about for years, Will's your man.
Off duty, Will enjoys hitting the beach, and tasting the world—one sushi roll and Old Fashioned at a time.
Chuck Ferrante, Wedding Coordinator & Bar Manager
Chuck Ferrante, Wedding Coordinator & Bar Manager
Chuck Ferrante, Wedding Coordinator & Bar Manager
Chuck is a man of many talents with 43 years in the Food/Beverage Industry. From planning to execution, he relishes every part of his role.
When Chuck's not receiving glowing reviews from clients, he’s probably working on a home project, walking his Boxer Louis, or enjoying a glass of Cabernet.
Kyle Anderson, Chef
Chuck Ferrante, Wedding Coordinator & Bar Manager
Kyle Anderson, Chef
With a lifelong experience in cooking, Kyle's dishes are more than just food; they're a slice of happiness.
Kyle has been with Abbey Catering for 11 years as a chef and has essentially cooked his whole life. He once bowled a 260 and enjoys making people happy through food. If he's not in the kitchen, he's probably surfing or running around Coronado, enjoying spicy Mexican food.
Julieta Ibarra, Warehouse Logistics Manager
Julieta Ibarra, Warehouse Logistics Manager
Julieta Ibarra, Warehouse Logistics Manager
Julieta is the backbone of our logistical magic. With a knack for planning and a love for baking, she ensures everything runs smoothly. Whether she's at the gym, the beach, or playing with her daughter, Julieta’s always up for a new challenge.
Petr Trebin, Wedding Coordinator
Julieta Ibarra, Warehouse Logistics Manager
Julieta Ibarra, Warehouse Logistics Manager
With 18 years at Abbey Catering and a background that took him from Prague's finest hospitality schools to here, Petr is our in-house expert on romance and incredible events. When he's not orchestrating love stories, he's probably traveling or playing with his beloved dogs.
Our Extraordinary Crew
Julieta Ibarra, Warehouse Logistics Manager
Our Extraordinary Crew
When it comes to top-notch catering services in San Diego, Abbey Catering stands out as the premier choice. With our stellar team of chefs, coordinators, and vendor partners, we're committed to delivering events that exceed expectations, always with a personal touch.
About OUR Abbey Catering TEAM
Committed to Excellent Events
At Abbey Catering, camaraderie isn't just a buzzword; it's the backbone of our operation and the secret sauce behind every extraordinary event we host. When Petr, our Wedding Coordinator with almost two decades of experience, collaborates with Will, our Sales expert and former stand-up comedian, magic happens. Petr's meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of gastronomy and tourism combine perfectly with Will's knack for creating memorable experiences. The result? A seamless and elevated event that leaves an enduring impression on all who attend.
This synergetic effect extends to all corners of our team. Federico, another seasoned Wedding Coordinator, brings his business acumen and love for Argentinian cuisine into the fold, while Michele, with her decades of experience and fashion-forward sensibility, adds a creative flair to our planning process. And let's celebrate the culinary masterminds in the kitchen. Our Executive Chef David, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, and Kyle work in tandem to serve up awe-inspiring dishes. Megan, our General Manager, often steps in to ensure that logistics and planning are finely tuned, her teaching background coming in handy for organizing teams efficiently.
The beauty of our teamwork lies in how our individual talents and special skills complement each other. Chuck, who doubles as a Wedding Coordinator and Bar Manager, uses his 43 years of experience in the food and beverage industry to ensure that the bar and the cuisine are in perfect harmony. Meanwhile, Troy, a former chef himself, knows just how to liaise between the culinary and planning aspects of an event. Julieta, our Warehouse Logistics Manager, ties everything together, from making sure the human resources are well-managed to ensuring the event setup is flawless.
The depth and diversity of our team's skills set us apart in the world of event hosting. But it's the camaraderie among us that turns those skills into something truly special: a well-executed, harmonious, and standout event. With our unique blend of experience, talent, and teamwork, we're well-equipped to make any gathering a remarkable success.