Staff Bios and Credentials

John Lombardo, Managing Partner

johnlombardo@branchescatering.com

John Lombardo is the well-seasoned managing partner of Branches. He holds a BS in business from Cornell University's renowned School of Hotel Administration, where he also taught cooking and kitchen management for 3 years. John's management experience includes many 4 and 5 star hotels and restaurants including:

• Caneel Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands
• Kapalua Bay Hotel, Maui
• Woodstock Inn, Vermont
• Grand Teton Lodge Company, Jackson Hole Wyoming
• The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa (Four Diamond), Connecticut
• The Alameda Plaza (Five Diamond/Four Star Preferred Hotels) in Kansas City
• The Ocean Place Hilton/Conference Resort in Long Branch NJ
• The Grand Floridian Beach Resort, Walt Disney World, FL

Special events have been an integral part of John's career and he has won honors from MPI (Meeting Planners International) and was the innovator and planner of the Kansas City Star's 100 th Anniversary Gala, which was named the "Party of the Year". Many notables have been served by John in the past including American icons President Ronald Reagan and Walter Cronkite. John has also been a wine editor for American City Business Journal in Kansas City, where he also owned "Lombardos Restaurant ", a nationally acclaimed eatery that received a 3 ½ star rating and a byline called "A Star is Born" for its first restaurant review. Kosher catering is also a part of his repertoire. John's dedication to the success of each event held at Branches is evident by his strict attention to detail.

 

Jaime Fierros, Chef

It is rare to encounter a chef whose has extensive training and experience in both catering and ala carte menu preparation. Branches is fortunate to have such a chef. Jaime Fierros, a 20-year career chef, began his career as a sous-chef under the tutelage of Basil Plasteras, a long time successful local restaurateur and caterer. Chef Fierros excels at working with our staff to create special dishes for each and every event. His Lobster Bisque is, in fact, award winning. In addition to preparing for our corporate and social clientele, Chef Fierros has developed outstanding menus for special wine tasting dinners and other unique events. Many of our guests have commented that dining at Branches is comparable to having an individually prepared meal at a fine restaurant.

 

Carlos Reyes, Back of the House Manager

Bio to follow shortly....please check back

Stephanie Bara, Catering Sales Manager

Bio to follow shortly... please check back

Stasia Tsolakis, Catering Sales Manager

Bio to follow shortly... please check back

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