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Voting now open for 2026 Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering

August 10, 2026

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Voting is officially open for 2026 Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering, recognizing the restaurant professionals driving growth, innovation and excellence in the catering space.

Readers may vote once per day through Aug. 14 and select up to five catering professionals they believe are making the biggest impact on restaurant catering operations.

The annual recognition program highlights leaders across restaurant brands, franchise groups and catering organizations who are helping shape the future of off-premise dining, from building catering programs and increasing sales to improving execution and guest experiences.

The official list will publish in September. Honorees will be recognized during the annual The Restaurant Catering Workshop, Oct. 6-7, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.

Vote for the 2026 Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering nominees

Voting is open through Aug. 14. Submit your vote here. Nominees include:

Arisha Sial — director of field marketing, Shipley Donuts.
Jerome Dees Jr. — vice president of sales, Tacolicious.
Catrina Salas — catering sales and customer service manager, Biscuit Belly.
Ryan Cesaitis — vice president of company operations, Potbelly Sandwich Works.
Dave Baer — COO, Mahana Fresh.
Dhruv and Smit Patel — franchise owners, Teriyaki Madness.
Maria Swallie — director of off-premise business development, Sunny Street Cafe.
Brooke Guiley — director of catering services, Old Carolina BBQ.
Raul Martinez — director of marketing & business development, The Taco Spot.
Brent & Jennifer Hunter — co-owners & operators, Grindz Food Truck.
Courtney Green — off-premise senior manager, Galardi Group, Inc..
Maegan Czernik — catering sales manager, Latitude Food Groups.
Joey Cioffi — founder, Salad House.
Ashley Sinclaire — director of catering sales, New England Authentic Eats.
Michael Dolinger — vice president of operations, California Tortilla.
Reza Kamalian — director of operations, Pizza Guys.
Devin Laura — Michigan catering manager, Condado Tacos.
Ashley Morris — CEO, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop.
Kathryn Mroczek — director of catering, Bagel Brands.
Valarie Wrinkle — general manager, Slim Chickens.
Sami Spring — director of catering, events & community partnerships, Peach Cobbler Factory.
Omar Kasim — founder, PLOMO Quesadillas.
Jake Snyder — field marketing manager, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop.
Amanda Quinn — director of catering, Viva Chicken.
Isabela Hurtado — director of catering, Pincho.
Lauren Johnson — vice president of growth marketing, Mendocino Farms.
Cory Hibbard — president, Graze Craze.
Brian Strayer — director of catering, Rubio's Coastal Grill.
Jenna Law — senior director of brand marketing & communications, KeKe's Breakfast Cafe.
Kori Sparks — director of sales and catering, Urbane Cafe.
Nick Rose — founder/CEO, Juicy Burgers Restaurants.
Liz Pearson — director of company catering operations, Newk's Eatery.
Justin Coogan — director of operations, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill.
Leslie Keyes — catering manager, Olga's Kitchen.
Sabrina Jenkins — director of catering, Moe's Southwest Grill.
Rosemary Blesio — private events & catering manager, The Crack Shack.
Nicole Aguilar — catering sales manager, Houston Hot Chicken.
Eric Chenel — director of consumer insights & innovation, Potbelly Sandwich Works.
Bethany Strong — COO, NAYA.
Brenda Thibodeaux — director of catering, sweetgreen.
Maureen McCarthy — catering sales manager, Slim Chickens.
Ed Sepko — senior director of catering growth, QDOBA.
Matthew Littieri — catering manager, Salad House.
Marisol Alviso — brand marketing director, Shipley Donuts.
Kennon Adkinson — senior director of catering, Sonny's BBQ.
Leslie Smith — vice president of marketing, Smokey Mo's TX BBQ.
Paola Remus — vice president of operations, BurgerFi.
Marshall Krueger — Slim Chickens.
Stephanie Winslow-Sell — senior manager of digital off premise, QDOBA Mexican Eats.
Karen Dawit — director of catering strategy and growth, Panera LLC.
Mark Wolok — vice president of franchise sales & business development, Happy Group.
Gracie Prasanson — vice president of sales, Jason's Deli.
Claudie Newman — director of catering, Founder's Table.
Nick Dyer — director of catering, Corner Bakery.
Liz French — co-owner & CEO, Gather, From Dawn to Dusk Catering and Events.
Piper Heinrich — area catering manager, Torchy's Tacos.
Allison Olszewski — director of marketing, Sip Fresh.
Donna Balandra — director of catering, Erik's Deli Cafe.
Amrit Banger — director of field marketing, Thai Chili 2 Go.
Shayna Buffum — director of catering, Mellow Mushroom.
Tina Carpenteri — COO/owner, Garden Catering.
Gabriela Keown — catering manager, Craveworthy.
Brittany Mercer — director off-premises sales, Cowboy Chicken.
Arnae Jinnette — director of catering sales & events, Tacodeli.