HOSPITALITY PROVOCATEURS

Crista Aladjadjian leads growth and innovation for Très LA Group, expanding the company’s services and venues nationwide. For nearly a decade, she ran her own consulting agency, partnering with clients including Aarón Sánchez, Airbnb, South Beach Food & Wine Festival, The Culinary Diplomacy Project, Soho House, Lexus, Chevy Chase Country Club, Bacardi, Amazon, and Moët & Chandon. Crista brings a dynamic, entrepreneurial perspective to every project, grounded in a unique culinary point of view shaped by her studies at the Art Institute of California and mentorship from industry icons like Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, and Jonathan Waxman. Her career spans leadership roles in operations at SunLife Organics, Umami Burger, Gyu-Kaku, and First to Market Hospitality Group. Passionate about hospitality, storytelling, and food, Crista is dedicated to exploring the intersection of technology and human connection to create unforgettable experiences.

Mike has 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, ranging from fast casual to fine dining, and has a BS from University of Oregon and an MBA from Tulane University. He enjoys taking on new challenges and brings a practical perspective to problem solving. Ask anyone on his team, and they will say that Mike's leadership style is centered around building a strong foundation of trust, support, and collaboration. He prioritizes client satisfaction above all else and is constantly seeking innovative ways to improve processes and deliver exceptional results. Go Ducks!

Hagan Welchel brings a powerful blend of creativity, leadership, and technical expertise to Très LA Group, spearheading culinary operations across the company’s growing portfolio of corporate accounts. Raised in the South and inspired by early experiences at their father’s restaurant, Hagan pursued their passion at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. Their career spans work under renowned chefs including Alain Ducasse and Didier Elena at New York’s Essex House, contributing to a four-star New York Times review, and leading restaurant openings nationwide as Corporate Chef de Cuisine at Todd English’s Olives. Hagan went on to hold leadership roles at Bouchon Beverly Hills and as Chef de Cuisine at Ad Hoc + Addendum, becoming the first female chef to lead a kitchen in the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group. They later served as Culinary Director at Tartine and as Executive Chef of Research and Development at The Cheesecake Factory, overseeing recipes for 300+ locations worldwide. At Très LA Group, Hagan fuses tradition with innovation, elevating every dining experience and inspiring teams to deliver excellence.

A seasoned leader of Très LA Group, Chef Julio Castorena drives the off-site catering culinary team with quiet precision and bold creativity. Trained in fine dining and grounded in global technique, Julio brings a thoughtful balance of innovation and intention to every dish. His culinary vision is defined by meticulous attention to detail, crafting menus that inspire, delight, and elevate the guest experience. From A-list celebrities to global royalty, clients have come to rely on Julio’s expertise for unforgettable dining moments that reflect the highest standards of hospitality.

Adam is a seasoned chef with a love for food that spans over 13 years. He has honed his craft in various kitchens from coast to coast working alongside various culinary innovators such as Andrea Van Willigan, Emeril Lagasse, Rolando Baramendi, and Michelle Bernstein. Chef Adam is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.

Indulge in the world of luxury libations curated by Brad, a veteran of LA and NYC's esteemed hospitality scene. With two decades of expertise, he designs unparalleled cocktails and possesses an ardent love for craft beer. Working directly with clients, he transcends expectations by fulfilling their every cocktail, beer, and wine desire.

Stay tuned! Bio coming soon.

With a background in wedding planning, Jennifer brings diverse skills, creativity, and enthusiasm to the table, creating unforgettable experiences. Her attention to detail contributes to her effective communication skills throughout the process. She is a natural relationship builder, adept at communicating and collaborating with clients, vendors, and corporate sponsors to cohesively bring your vision to life.

Directing our Ebell Long Beach location is our seasoned professional, Jen MacLean. Jen has been overseeing Ebell Long Beach for over a decade and each year produces close to 100 events! She brings her expertise in directing each event while still giving each client a personalized experience. With so many logistics behind each event, Jenn highlights teamwork as part of her success. She has a passion for client relations, sales, and collaborating with menu planning.

Katie Mundorf is an accomplished Senior Production Manager with extensive expertise in orchestrating seamless and memorable events at the Ebell Long Beach. With over 2 years of experience in the industry and over 250 events under her belt, Katie is a master at overseeing every detail of event production, from assisting clients with their layout and timeline to the execution. Her unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that every event she manages is a success!

At the heart of The Mason Dallas is Venue Director Kyle Hennigan, a Louisiana native with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. With a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for fostering connections, he not only plays a prominent role in our team but is also a respected member of industry organizations, including the Society of Wedding Professionals, where he serves on the Board of Directors. His dedication has earned him recognition and accolades from prestigious bodies like the National Association of Caterers and Event Planners, TXACOM, Meeting Professionals International, the International Live Events Association, and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, solidifying his status as an award-winning professional.

Carol brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked at some of the most renowned restaurants in Los Angeles. Her deep passion for service is evident in her commitment to building strong, cohesive teams who share her love for food, hospitality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Carol’s expertise in recruitment is rooted in her belief that success in hospitality comes from people who are as passionate about service as she is.

Andrea is our Human Resources Generalist with over 15 years of hospitality experience. Her specialties include employee relations and compliance. She is passionate about employee well-being and works diligently to ensure our team is set up for success, enabling them to execute events at the highest level.

Meet Mylene, our Human Resources Business Partner. She serves as a crucial link in providing HR support to managers and employees across all our locations. Mylene's unwavering commitment revolves around cultivating a positive and inclusive workplace environment and nurturing a strong sense of belonging among our team.

Meet Patrick, a logistical mastermind with over a decade of experience in operations. His expertise covers production, warehousing, and an unmatched attention to detail. Challenges are his stepping stones, as he firmly believes that no obstacle is unbeatable.

Meet Sara Kanak, our Regional Operations Manager overseeing our West Region Corporate Dining Data Center locations. With over 10 years of experience in food service, Sara has managed restaurants, hotels, and boutique properties, collaborating with executive chefs to create menus for fine dining and events. She's passionate about developing teams and generating innovative ideas. As Regional Operations Manager, Sara oversees data center operations, partnering with leadership to drive the success of our culinary program.

Meet Saalim, our Regional Chef overseeing our West Region Corporate Dining Data Center locations. With a wealth of experience in fine dining, banquet halls, casinos, and multi-outlet food establishments, Saalim has been a valuable member of our team since 2018. He previously served as Senior Sous Chef at our Los Lunas Data Center Culinary Team, where he brought his expertise and dedication to creating delicious meals for our staff and visitors. In his current role, Saalim oversees culinary operations across our West Region data centers, ensuring that our teams have the support they need to provide exceptional dining experiences.

Kaushik's commitment to exceptional service is rooted in his extensive experience in the hospitality industry. He began his career at 19 and has worked in various sectors, including retail, hotels, upscale dining, and catering. His passion for guest satisfaction and attention to detail is evident in his approach to service excellence. As a Food Safety & Culinary Compliance Assistant Manager, Kaushik takes pride in collaborating with our Chefs to oversee our food safety and allergen program, ensuring that we provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive dining experience for all guests at our corporate locations. With numerous certificates under his belt, Kaushik is well-equipped to lead our cooperate dining team in maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality.

Chef Eirene is a culinary pro with experience at some of the most prestigious establishments, including Bouchon Bistro & Bakery, Shutters on the Beach hotel, and the Jonathan Club private club/hotel. She has even worked in unique environments like private jet catering with Air Gourmet. Her passion for pastries and desserts runs deep, and she bakes with the aim of warming hearts and pleasing our incredible corporate clientele.

Luciana is the heart of our Woodland Hills kitchen. She assists in catering events and client tastings, collaborating with our chefs to ensure flawless execution. Her administrative skills, communication, and organization keep the kitchen running smoothly. Luciana is always eager to learn and grow, bringing fresh ideas to the table.

Kelsie brings southern hospitality and a contagious smile to the team. Her ability to maintain strong relationships with clients and tailor each event to their needs makes for an easy partnership. She infuses creativity and passion into every detail of the event, from food to ambiance and everything in between.

As Site Manager for Carondelet House, Hayley Keown oversees day-to-day operations and ensures every event unfolds seamlessly at one of Los Angeles’s most beloved historic venues. With a background in hospitality and event management, Hayley is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for clients and guests alike. Known for her attention to detail, collaborative spirit, and commitment to exceptional service, Hayley plays an integral role in maintaining Carondelet House’s reputation as a premier destination for weddings, celebrations, and corporate events.

As Assistant Venue Director of The Mason Dallas, Laycie Moore plays a key role in delivering exceptional guest experiences and seamless events at one of Dallas’s most distinctive venues. With a background in hospitality management and a passion for creating unforgettable moments, Laycie oversees day-to-day operations, vendor relations, and client services, ensuring every event—from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations—runs flawlessly. Known for her attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and commitment to hospitality, Laycie is dedicated to upholding The Mason’s reputation for excellence while bringing warmth, care, and professionalism to every interaction.