Anytime. Anywhere.
CATERING PROVIDED AT THE LOCATION OF YOUR CHOICE
Contact:
MELISSA DARPINO 213 814 3051
| FACT SHEET |
OUR TEAM  ALEC LESTR Executive Chef, Patina Catering Alec Lestr has worked with Chef Joachim Splichal since the days before Patina opened. He began his career in the restaurant industry at his father's chain of coffee shops in Los Angeles when he was just 12 years old. His passion for food developed each passing year and when he was 17, he joined restaurateur David Wilhelm in opening the critically acclaimed Pave in Corona del Mar. He was then invited to serve as apprentice chef at L'Orangerie where he worked for two years before joining Joachim Splichal in opening Max au Triangle. Alec was appointed Chef de Cuisine of Patina Catering in 1995 and Executive Chef in 1998. He oversees the entire culinary operations of the growing Patina Catering. Armed with the commitment to perfection for which his mentor is renowned, Lestr continues to develop his talents and lend his creative genius to all events. Alec's passion lies in masterminding large-scale events, where the guest count can top 15,000. His experience includes orchestrating such prestigious events as the 2000 Democratic National Convention, movie premieres such as The Matrix, Men in Black, Transformers, and the annual Emmy Awards Creative Arts Dinner and Governor's Ball.  GREGG WIELE Corporate Executive Chef, Museum & Performing Arts Center Division A native of Los Angeles, California, Gregg Wiele has spent his culinary career with the Patina Restaurant Group, working his way up through the ranks, and learning from his mentor, Chef Joachim Splichal. He views his craft as an art form, saying "some artists work with paint, others with clay. I create art on a plate." As Executive Chef for Patina Catering in San Francisco, he showcased his California cuisine at prestigious events at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center. As Corporate Executive Chef, Museum & Performing Arts Center Division, Wiele oversees the entire West Coast's catering operations at twelve cultural landmarks including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Music Center of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Orange County Performing Arts Center.  MELISSA DARPINO Director of Catering Sales Melissa has a wealth of experience in event planning and a passion for making every experience an unforgettable occasion. Prior to rejoining the Patina Restaurant Group, she was the Hotel Director at the Peacock Inn in Princeton, New Jersey. While there, she oversaw hotel operations, was responsible for planning weddings, and other social affairs as well as corporate events. Prior to her time at the Peacock Inn, she was the Director of Sales at Daniel Stern Restaurants in Philadelphia. Before that, she worked as Director of Special Events and Catering at David Myers' Food Art Group in Los Angeles and was Director of Catering and Special Events with Michel Richard at Citrus. Melissa managed many high-profile and celebrity events in her 16-year career, including the Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences Annual Emmy’s and Governor’s Balls. Melissa previously worked at Patina Restaurant Group from 1999-2007. |
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 2012
2012 GOVERNORS BALL AT THE EMMYS
BREAKFAST BUFFET
HOLIDAY CATERING
FUNDRAISER FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
