Anthony Lambatos

The Coach, CEO

Anthony Lambatos is melding the historic Footers name with new and exciting trends in catering. He grew up in the business, from scraping plates for his dad, founder of Footers Catering Jimmy Lambatos, to hosting his own concession stand at Parade of Homes in High School. He has worked full time for Footers Catering since 2004 as Vice President and became Co-Owner and CEO at the beginning of 2010. Anthony is passionate about taking the knowledge he has learned from his Father and putting a fresh spin on it.

Quote to live by: "Happiness is a matter of perspective. It's up to you to decide which angle to look from."

Check Out My "Powder Days" Playlist

April Lambatos

The Head Honcho of Happiness, COO

April Lambatos has been gaining experience in the catering/hospitality industry since 1996. Learning the ropes of the business from the bottom up and literally beginning her catering career washing dishes. After earning a business degree from the University of Florida and learning hospitality from Walt Disney World Resorts April realized catering was her passion. As Co-Owner and COO, April brings a fresh energy to the team and a determination to create one of the best places to work.

Quote to live by: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Check Out My "Sounds of Happiness" Playlist
This is just a couple of songs that make me happy! They all have a memory tied to them and make me smile. Let me know if you are curious and I would love to share more!

Colbért Callen

Team Mom, Director of Sales & Marketing

Colbért Callen has been with the Footers team since 2007. She was first introduced to the company when seeking out a caterer for her own wedding, and found the perfect fit not only for her special day, but also for a passionate career. Her amazing ability to translate a client's vision into a reality sets her apart in the event planning world. Her skill for envisioning an event is unmatched, and enthusiasm to see a client happy, is crucial to planning any event.

Quote to live by: "Work Hard, Play Hard."

Check Out My "Harper Time" Playlist
My biggest motivator to go for three runs each week is my border collie, Harper. She knows when I put on a specific pair of shoes that there may be a run in her future, and at 13 years old she still lives for it. She always outpaces me, so music actually helps me keep up with her!

Sam Totten

The Ambassador of Awesomeness, Operations

Sam Totten has worked for Footers Catering part time since he was 15 years old. After graduating from Arizona State University with a Masters degree in Architecture, he returned to the Footers team full time in 2009. Sam is a "jack-of-all-trades," wears many hats, and uses his unparalleled passion and creativity to design cutting edge innovative displays, eye-catching marketing materials, efficiency enhancing digital tools, sweet company swag, and a bunch of other stuff! He is our walking Mission Statement and his ambitions to create, build, and make things better everyday show in all aspects of his work.

Quote to live by: "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."

Check Out My "Awesomeness All the Time" Playlist
These are some of my go-to easy listening songs for sittin' on the back porch, doing work at the office, or driving up to the mountains for a weekend getaway. In any scenario, they're best enjoyed with friends!

Jason Sutton

The Food Architect, Footers Catering Executive Logistics Chef

Executive Chef Jason Sutton leads the Footers Catering culinary team in internal and external logistics, alongside Co-Executive Chef Heather Carr. The “Food Architect” and his team execute over 600 full-service off-site events and feed more than 75,000 guests each year. Sutton is passionate about sharing his unique knowledge and experience to help caterers around the country improve their leadership and company culture.

Even before graduating from Kendall College in Chicago, Sutton was hand selected to be part of the opening team for Terzo Piano - A Chef Tony Mantuano Restaurant. At 21-years-old Sutton organized and managed the hot food line for a restaurant with daily covers over 300 guests. After graduation Sutton ventured west for an externship at the AAA four-diamond Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Restaurant in Kapalua, Hawaii. Sutton was selected for a Butcher Apprenticeship under a Certified Master Butcher of 35+ years. Over three years he contributed in every kitchen at the $22-million resort and gained an incredibly versatile knowledge of flavors.

Sutton has produced incredible event experiences with Footers Catering over the past five years. He has successfully organized logistics for some of the most complex off-premise catering experiences in the industry, including the Velorama Festival serving 15,000 guests over three days; the Oath Global Sales Conference serving 13,800 meals over two days; and the Triple Bypass Bike Ride serving 5,300 meals over two days. Each of these events was held in a remote location with zero kitchen facilities, where Sutton not only had to execute award-winning menus, but also build kitchen facilities from the ground-up. Sutton has gained a national reputation for being an expert in large-scale event logistics, and was asked to be part of the 5,000-guest opening party for the Frozen Musical in New York City, and help produce a million-dollar wedding experience in Indianapolis, IN.

His talent has been recognized by the International Caterers Association, where he currently serves as Board Culinary Chair, with a focus on scholarship mentors for the national catering conference Catersource. Sutton was also requested to fulfill the prestigious three-year position as the ICA’s culinary education director, leading hundreds of chefs and all culinary production at the 8,500-attendee conference. He has been a featured speaker in front of national audiences at the Catersource and was the 2016 Rapid Recipe Contest Entrée Champion.

Quotes to live by: "I won't eat any cereal that doesn't turn the milk purple." ~ Bill Watterson, "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." ~ Futurama

Check Out My "Terrible Two" Playlist
One of my favorite ways to relax and enjoy a day is hanging out and playing with my 2 year old daughter. We love playing outside, making messes, and trying new foods together, and these songs are usually playing in the background in the kitchen or car as we spend time together.

Lindsey Gertz

The Party Princess, Senior Event Coordinator

Lindsey Gertz has been a part of the Footers team since 2006. Her passion for perfection is contagious, and her attention to detail helps to make some of Footers' largest events go off without a hitch. Her creative ideas and eagerness to be on the cutting edge of the event world keeps all of us reaching for something new. Recently Lindsey added to the Footers Family with her son Landon and daughter Audrey. Lindsey enjoys the flexibility of working for a family owned business; it allows her to be an active Mom and career woman. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: "Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." ~ Julia Child

Check Out My "Forever Family" Playlist
One of my favorite ways to spend an evening is with my family! Whether we're playing in the backyard, the two kiddos are helping us make dinner, or we're relaxing and enjoying our fire pit, these songs are the perfect background to lots of fun and laughter!

Jamie Shaw

The Memory Maker, Senior Event Coordinator

Jamie Shaw is from Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Denver to pursue a degree in Event Management from Johnson & Wales University. After completing her Bachelors Degree, she started her career at a local Country Club planning everything from golf tournaments to weddings! From there, she moved into full-time Wedding Planning, which is where she found her true passion in catering a wide variety of events. Jamie loves to see an event start at just an idea or concept and develop into a special and memorable event from start to finish! Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." ~ Walt Disney

Check Out My "Jam Mix" Playlist
Here are my favorite jams to listen to as I get ready to workout, a night out, or head to an event. These are my go tos anytime I need a good pick me up!

Stephanie Zemler

The Curator of Creativity, Design Stylist

Stephanie Zemler has been working in the hospitality/catering industry since 2007. She graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado with a degree in Culinary Arts. Her experience in catering ranges from office management, event coordinating, bartending, and cooking. She became a part of the Footers family in 2012 and shortly after took on the role as staffing coordinator. In 2016 she transitioned her role into "The Curator of Creativity". Her main area of focus is designing unique displays and creative food presentations for our events. Stephanie also uses her expertise in executing events as part of our internal logistics team and the training of our amazing Service Team.

Quote to live by: "You are always free to do something that makes you smile" ~ Unknown

Check Out My "Flashback to the Glory Days" Playlist
These songs bring a smile to my face as they remind me of fun times in my 20's! Ask me more about my travels, favorite concerts, and friends I shared these memories with!

Colleen Hartigan

The Social Savant, Social Media and Event Logistics Manager

Colleen Hartigan joined the Footers family in September of 2015. After obtaining a degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Hospitality from Endicott College in 2013, Colleen worked for a small events company out of Worcester, Massachusetts. There she was an Event Manager for two years. Her attention to detail and eagerness to succeed adds a unique spark to our team and she is always willing to go the extra mile in order to satisfy our clients and their guests! Away from Footers Colleen enjoys hiking, reading, craft beers, and cheering for Boston sports teams.

Quote to live by: "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance." ~ Unknown

Check Out My "Good Vibes" Playlist
I love to constantly surround myself with music. Whether it's a crazy show at Red Rocks, or calming myself after a rough day, music is always there for me! Here's a playlist of a couple of my absolute favorite songs ever, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Shelby Anderson

The Pastry Professor, Executive Pastry Chef

Shelby Anderson joined the Footers Family in the summer of 2016 as our Pastry Professor. She graduated from the Art Institute of Denver in 2013, but has known since childhood just how much passion she has for baking. From working as a night baker at local cupcakeries to running the kitchen at some of Denver's favorite dessert bars, Shelby found her niche in the catering world and absolutely loves it. In her opinion, pastry can be a product of never ending possibilities, from baking bread to decorating cakes to plating intricate desserts, there's never a dull moment and ALWAYS something new to learn.

Quote to live by: "Ask yourself if what you're doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow?" ~ Unknown

Check Out My "Slay Baby" Playlist
Whether it's fresh throwbacks, sing-your-heart-out ballads, or solid jams to focus and concentrate to, these are my favorites to keep the energy high and spirits lifted as slay in the kitchen! Stop by the Pastry dept, on Wednesdays you'll find us wearing pink, and see what we're rocking out to!

Heather Carr

The Culinary Crusader, Executive Chef

Executive Chef Heather Carr Leads the Footers Catering culinary team in innovation and production, alongside Co-Executive Chef Jason Sutton. The “Culinary Crusader” and her team execute over 600 full-service off-site events and feed more than 75,000 guests each year. Carr is most proud of her team’s recognition as national industry leader for a thriving kitchen culture and unique career advancement opportunities, which are unprecedented in the hospitality industry.

Carr learned to cook while on lacrosse scholarship at the University of New Hampshire, negotiating home cooked meals for her roommates in lieu of paying for groceries. Her unique culinary beginnings still influence her cooking style today, emphasizing utilization of every piece of edible food trim, which would otherwise find its way into the trash. She is recognized in the industry as a #nowaste chef and has presented nationally on the topic.

Carr’s philosophy is to find a way to make something work, rather than make excuses for why it cannot work. In 2017 Carr showed the world her culinary ingenuity and toughness when she was crowned “Chopped Champion” on The Food Network’s Chopped reality cooking competition. She also competed in the Chopped Champions edition of the show in 2018.

After refining her culinary talent at Johnson and Wales University in Denver, Carr was awarded the International Caterers Association Educational Foundation scholarship to attend Catersource Conference two years in a row. She has since become a featured speaker at the national convention, motivating thousands to bring heartfelt leadership and inclusive culture practices to culinary teams around the world.

Carr is dedicated to mentoring up-and-coming talent in the hospitality industry and gives back to her community by volunteering at organizations such as Cooking Matters Colorado and Work Options for Women. She participates as a guest chef and judge for multiple non-profit chef fundraising showcases annually and has cooked alongside the country’s top chefs at James Beard Foundation House Dinners. In 2019, Chef Heather was named ColoradoBiz Magazine's Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals. 

Quote to live by: "Live as if you'll die today, dream as if you'll live forever." ~ James Dean

Check Out My "Pump Up/Wind Down" Playlist
This is a mix between some of my favorite pump up music that I play to get in the mindset for boxing and then classical music which is usually what I listen to when I am winding down after a long day or workout!

Krystal Hoeft

The Rainmaker, Controller

Krystal Hoeft is originally from Flagstaff, Arizona where she received her Business Management degree from Northern Arizona University. She moved to Denver in 2003 and lives with her Husband, two Daughters Kiera and Kinsley and two furry friends Fox & Kaya. She has over 14 years in the financial service industry and received her MBA from Regis University. She joined the Footers Family in 2015 and oversees the day-to-day finance operations of the company and is in charge of all collections, disbursements, taxes and payroll.

Quote to live by: "Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." ~ Napoleon Hill

Check Out My "Farm Fresh Tracks" Playlist
K & B Ranch is my dream come true! Our farm is a place where my family can spend time together, my girls can learn about taking care of our garden and animals, and we can enjoy the stunning beauty of Colorado! These songs remind me of the sweetest memories I have with my family on our farm together!

Megan Stewart

The Executive Experience Expert, Director of Hospitality

Megan Stewart graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. She spent a few years working for luxury clothing companies when she transitioned to Membership and Catering Sales in the hospitality industry. Over the next 6 years Megan lead Food and Beverage Teams at many different Country Clubs, most recently the Country Club at Castle Pines. Having a high attention to detail, a commitment to excellent customer service and a passion for leading people has driven Megan's desire to be in the catering industry.

Quote to live by: "Be somebody who makes everyone feel like somebody."

Check Out My "Pre-Event" Playlist
There's nothing better than a good pump up mix! These are my go tos as I head out to an event and these songs never fail to pump me up and help me lead my team to execute another awesome event!

Brittany Burrows

The Celebration Connoisseur, Senior Event Coordinator

Brittany Burrows joined the team after moving to Denver from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of her degree in Business Management and Public Relations, she began managing a historic wedding venue in Pennsylvania and fell in love with the event industry. Brittany has a knack for connecting with clients and loves going the extra mile to make an event unforgettable! Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: "A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure." ~ Henry Kissinger

Check Out My "Pump Up" Playlist
Sometimes on the way to an event, I need a little pick me up! This is a handful of the songs that never fail to put a smile on my face and prepare me for the day ahead.

Katie Martineau

The Organized Optimizer, Event Coordinator

Katie Martineau joined the Footers Family after adventuring to Denver from Seattle, Washington. She attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and volunteered for a non-profit theatre, where she fell in love with planning large events, such as the theatre's annual Casino Night Gala. Hospitality positions at hotels Minneapolis and Seattle led her to the food and beverage side of hospitality. Whether attending networking events, snowboarding in the Rockies, discovering new hiking trails, or participating in fitness competitions, Katie is always ambitious for a new adventure. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~ Gandhi

Check Out My "Turning the Corner on Country" Playlist
Denver is more country than the other city I've lived in and it's definitely growing on me! I mean, we have a parade with big horned cattle walking down city streets – ha! This is more country-pop; achy-breaky-heart stuff is still a hard, no!

Allison Swanson

The Master Collaborator, Marketing Manager

Allison graduated from the University of Vermont in 2011 with a degree in Public Communication. After livingin Boston, she joined the Peace Corps and worked with youth in development in the Republic of Georgia. Upon returning to the States, Allison decided to pursue new adventures and move to Colorado, where shejoined Footers Cateringin July 2017. Allison strives to exemplify what Footers Family means to every one of our clients and guests. She also seeks to show how our culture of encouraging and fostering our unique passions and skills elevates our work into the realm of AWESOMENESS and truly sets our staff and our work apart! While the East Coast will always have a special place in her heart, Allison loves exploring Colorado's endless beauty. She seeks to fly fishevery bodyof water, hike every trail, and celebrate each day's end with a new local craft brew in hand.

Quote to live by: "The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." ~ John Krakauer

Check Out My "Road Trip Tunes" Playlist
I took a 2.5 week cross country road trip when I moved from Boston to Colorado and fell in love with the independence and freedom found on the open and dirt roads. Here's my favorite driving playlist as I adventure and explore the beautiful state of Colorado!

Kelsey Raymond

The Forager of Fresh Ideas, Senior Event Coordinator

Kelsey found her niche in the event industry after graduating from Arizona State University in 2013. She worked with top caterers and an outdoor venue facility in Arizona and Massachusetts before finding her home in Colorado. Experienced in all sectors of events, she has a true passion and determination to make each event successful and unique! She jumps at any opportunity to meet new clients and create new relationships. Kelsey appreciates the change of pace and exciting day-to-day variety the hospitality industry offers. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: "Stay humble, hustle hard." ~ Anonymous

Check Out My "Effort to Run Off Lunch" Playlist
These are my personal favorite beats to run to. They keep me moving so I can actively run off the Footers family meals!

Tabitha Hossfeld

Creative Connoisseur | Event Coordinator

Tabitha grew up on a large cattle ranch near the Wyoming/Montana border. As soon as she could see over the top of the bar she was helping her grandmother run the family-owned restaurant and bar, and inherited her passion for cooking and hospitality. Tabitha has been in the Denver event industry since 2015 and planned over 1,100 events. Her favorite part of the process is collaborating during the initial design/concept phase, where she is always ready to challenge how far boundaries can be pushed to create a truly unique experience. A self-proclaimed "crazy dog mom," her favorite part of every day is early morning puppy snuggles with coffee….lots of coffee. She loves music and collects records as well as limited edition concert posters. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr Suess

Sarah Amick

Diamond of Design | Event Coordinator

Sarah fell in love with Colorado during an internship in Crested Butte and always vowed to return. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Sarah joined the events team of a large-scale music festival, but when the opportunity to plan events in Denver arose, Sarah jumped at the chance to trade the beach for the mountains. Sarah loves working with clients to achieve their vision and keeps them having fun along the way. When not working, you can find Sarah crying about how terrible the Gamecocks are (yet again), cheering on her new home’s various sports teams, catching a show at Red Rocks, or rock climbing. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Pablo Picasso

Erin Hehn

The Party Whisperer | Event Producer

Erin Hehn has been in the Denver events industry since 2005. After finding her niche as the go-to party planner for friends at CU-Boulder, her love for details and gatherings continued as an Event Coordinator at a local venue. She expanded to build her own her own wedding coordination company, as well as had the privilege to travel internationally for corporate and non-profit functions. Having been a longtime fan of their excellence and culture, she’s excited to be a part of the Footers Family! She brings a drama-free approach to solving challenges, and a passion for establishing lasting connections with clients. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark.” – Jay Danzie

Rachel Ikalowych

Miss Moxie | Event Producer

Rachel Ikalowych is a Mission Viejo, CA transplant. She started her hospitality career as a young girl working alongside her mother, a wedding coordinator. She has been in the industry ever since, most recently as a front-of-house restaurant manager. Through her experiences Rachel has gained extensive knowledge and insight into the true meaning of hospitality - treating others how you want to be treated. A graduate of the University of Colorado Denver Business School, Rachel is a tenacious and bubbly individual who has developed a passion for catering and events. Away from Footers, Rachel is an avid hot-sauce connoisseur, loves attending live music events, and enjoys to true-crime podcasts. Send An E-Mail

Quote to live by: "All that I'm after is a life full of laughter."

Corrine Sillick

Party Pilot

Corrine has worked in the hospitality industry for 15 years. She started in restaurants, transitioned to being a banquet manager in hotels and has also worked her way around a few country clubs before joining the Footers Family. Corrine is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She loves working with and helping people and also enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends!

Quote to live by: "Life is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it." ~ Emily Dickinson

Kim Menghi

Party Pilot

Kim Menghi is originally from Lock Haven, PA. She graduated from Lock Haven University with a BS in Secondary Education, English and German and earned a Master's of Instruction from the University of Delaware. Kim taught German, English/LA, Spanish, and Yearbook over the course of 32 years in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Upon retiring from public education in 2015, she moved to Frederick, Colorado, and began working for Footers in 2016. Since then, she has worked as a Hospitality Hero, Mix Master and Party Pilot, striving to always make every client and guest have the most fantabulous experience possible!

Quote to live by: "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~ Ernest Hemingway

Paige Shaffer

Party Pilot

Paige started working in the food service industry when she was in college doing everything from being a hostess, server, and bartender. She especially loved bartending because of how social the position is and loved all of the interactions between guests. After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science from Appalachian State University, she moved to Colorado in September of 2017 where she started at Footers Catering. Paige has experience working as a Hospitality Hero, Mix Master, the Footers Front Desk in the office, and has now worked her way up to Party Pilot! Outside of Footers, Paige practices being the best dog mom she can be and spending as much time outdoor and hiking with my pup as possible!

Quote to live by: "A party without cake is just a meeting" ~ Julia Child

Doug Idlett

Party Pilot

Douglas one of our full-time party pilots. You'll often see him directing the team on proper setup and service techniques. He comes to us from Lexington, Oklahoma and has been part of the Footers Family for three years. While living in Oklahoma, Douglas earned his degree in Public Relations from Oklahoma State University. When he's not working, Douglas enjoys spending time with his friends, visiting his family in Oklahoma, or traveling! GO POKES!

Quote to live by: "Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting" ~ Peter Pan

Ronney Reynolds

Chef de Par-Tay

Ronney has been part of the Footers family since 2002, making him our most seasoned lead event chef. With his tenure, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the off-site catering world. Ronney has found an awesome balance between hard work and humor that makes him one of Footers most popular Chefs de Par-tay.

Sam Robinson

Chef de Par-Tay

Since coming aboard in 2005, Sam "Bam" has been lucky enough to give back to the school he attended as a youth, Mullen High School. Sam runs the culinary department at Mullen High School while simultaneously leading events on the weekends as a Chef de Par-tay.

Dylan Westfall

The Flavor Creator, Chef de Tournant

Dylan roots are in Oklahoma, where he studied Hospitality at Oklahoma State University. After completing his degree, Dylan moved to Colorado to hone his skills. He went to culinary school at Johnson & Wales and joined the Footers Family in 2016. As Lead Tasting Chef, Dylan is passionate about creating memorable experiences for Footers clients and guests at our tasting experiences, and helping design innovative menus for their events!

Quote to live by: "Always start out with a larger pot than you think you need." ~ Julia Child

Check Out My "Slow Jams to Wind Down to" Playlist
Everyone at Footers knows me for my taste in laid back music! This is a playlist that I like to listen to while I cook to put me in the zone or relax to on my drive home after a long day!

Nat Timmens

The Culinary Craftsman, Lead Production Chef

Nat was born and raised in western New York, near the grape fields along the shores of lake Erie. He honed his skills for 15 years until moving to Denver in 2014. Having an extensive background in large party events, Nat joined the Footers team in 2014 as a prep cook. He quickly moved on to become a chef de par-tay and to Lead Production Chef in the kitchen where he oversees food prep for the week and manages production. Nat loves getting to see all of Colorado through venues and events and looks forward to expanding his repertoire ever more in the future!

Quote to live by: "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." ~ Anais Nin

Check Out My "Culinary Prep" Playlist
When I'm leading the culinary prep team, these are my favorite songs to pump up the crew to help us crush our daily prep lists!

Bryce Cherven

The Pastry Unicorn, Pastry Sous Chef

Bryce got her passion for food and baking from her mom, and after 10 years of at-home baking she decided to make the move to go to culinary school. She graduated from The Art Institute of Colorado in early 2016, and took to the catering world immediately. Bryce loves the diversity every day has to offer as the Pastry Unicorn at Footers!

Quote to live by: "Food can be expressive and therefore food can be art." ~ Grant Achatz

Check Out My "Top Jamz" Playlist
This is a small selection of the long list of songs that can come on any time and will, without fail, improve my mood. I love to sing along to songs, and I probably know most or all of the words to all of these songs. They're my jams.

Tessa Reuber

The Mise En Place Master, Lead Production Chef

Chef Tessa Reuber discovered her love for art and cooking at a very young age. When she wasn't experimenting in the kitchen, you could find her brainstorming about the next thing she was going to create. Her entrepreneurial spirit brought her to Colorado in 2013, where she focused on employee experience design and company culture initiatives that promote inclusivity, empathy, health, work-life balance and fun/rewarding atmospheres. Her passion for food and creating awesome company culture brought her to Footers Catering in 2017 where she became Lead Production Sous Chef. Outside of the kitchen she spends time tending to her garden and scobys. Fun Fact, she has made over 40 varieties of kombucha flavors! If you take a peak inside Tessa's pantry you would find house-made pickled carrots, turmeric lemon cucumber relish, carrot top pesto and a variety of preserved tomatoes.

Quote to live by: "Life is not measured by the amount of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." ~ Anonymous

Check Out My "Soundtrack of Memories" Playlist
Each song on my playlist reminds me of a very fond memory and a person that's very special to me.

Kira Cook

Chef de Par-Tay

Hailing from Manhattan, KS (GO CATS!), Kira has lived in CO with her husband Dave since 2005. Originally going to Kansas State University for Theatre and Costume Design, she decided to pursue her next passion and attend culinary school in Denver in 2012. In 2017, she graduated with a Bachelor's in Culinary Management. Her ultimate goal is to open up a fully deducted gluten free restaurant. When not working, you can find her at home lounging with her cats, crafting and sewing, or playing games on her phone.

Quote to live by: "Don't dream it, be it!" ~ Dr. Frankenfurter

Stephanie Pound

Chef de Par-Tay

Stephanie is a born and raised Colorado native and graduate of Johnson and Wales with a degree in Baking and Pastry. Stephanie is fascinated with learning everything she can from sweet to savory, Tastings, inventory, menu creation, and being a Lead Chef. There is always something new to learn and she is always up for any challenge!

Quote to live by: "I try to let my decisions be guided not by what I think will succeed or fail, but what I am going to learn from that process." ~ Lin-Manuel Miranda

Daniel Brainerd

Party Pilot

Daniel is a left handed middle child with 5 siblings, all of which he stays as close as possible with. He was home-schooled throughout high school and is currently working towards his Bachelor's of Science in Event and Meeting Management. In his free time, Daniel enjoys dancing, martial arts, competitive sword fighting, shopping and spending time meeting new people. He is excited to learn and grow with the Footers Family for years to come!

Quote to live by: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." ~ Sir Winston Churchill

Emily Maynard

Engagement Enthusiast, Marketing Project Manager

Emily Maynard is a Chicago native and the third Arizona State University graduate (Fork ‘Em!) to join the Footers family. An internship with a restaurant association in Washington DC solidified Emily's goal for her professional career to always involve great food. From culinary advocacy to corporate restaurant support, her passions for hospitality and creativity are exemplified. You can find Emily enjoying the outdoors, jammin' out to live music, or sipping on sour beers in RiNo in her free time.

Quote to live by: "YOLO – You Only Live Once" ~ Drake

Check Out My "Wiggle Tunes" Playlist
Everyone needs a few minutes a day to just wiggle! It is a vital component to living and enjoying life to the fullest.

Walter James III

Chef de Par-Tay

Walter James, also known as 'Walt Baby Love', was born in New Orleans, Louisiana with a natural love for food and music. After spending 15+ years grinding it out in kitchens across the U.S., Walter is now with us in Denver, Colorado and also sings on Denver Gay Men's Chorus.

Quote to live by: "Consistency breeds credibility."

Katie Valentine

Chef de Par-Tay

Katie's passion for cooking began in Grand Forks, ND when her and her mama Tracy would create breakfast from scratch on Sunday mornings. It wasn't until a surprise "chopped" dinner date, however, that she realized her need to express herself creatively in the kitchen. Katie is self-taught, soaking up knowledge from every chef she has had the pleasure of working with. Before moving to Denver, CO in 2017, Katie worked with Concert Kitchen out of Ohio and toured with artists such as Miranda Lambert, Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake. Katie loves her wife, Alivia, for finding Footers and is eager to continue growing in a "MIBE" cultured company. Her quick wit and insatiable humor is what keeps patrons coming back for seconds!

Quote to live by: "You're gonna be happy," said life, "but first I'll make you strong."

Connor Black

Chef de Par-Tay

Conner graduated from The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in 2018. After previously working for M Culinary Concepts in Phoenix, AZ, the Denver native made his way home and joined the Footers Family.

Quote to live by: "You take something with you and hopefully you leave something good behind." ~ Anthony Bourdain

Mason Grismore

Chef de Par-Tay

Mason found out early in life that he wanted to be in the foodservice industry because he loved to watch The Food Network with his mother. He started as a bus boy and slowly worked his way up the ranks. As a graduate from Johnson & Wales University's culinary program, he understands that well cooked food is just as important as beautiful presentation. Being at Footers has not only helped him hone his skills as a chef, but make lifelong friends in the process.

Quote to live by: "Practice makes paper." ~ Earl "E-40" Stevens