Introducing Our Advisory Board!

Katherina (Kathie) Griley is a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in the foodservice industry. Throughout her extensive career, Kathie has tackled every aspect of restaurant operations, garnering invaluable expertise along the way.

Her professional contacts within the restaurant industry introduced her to the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in 1998, where she dedicated almost a decade to enhancing the industry through professional development training. Today, she is the Vice President of Member Services, overseeing CRA chapter management and acting as the liaison for the annual trade show.

Michael Scinto is a dedicated advertising and marketing specialist with over 23 years of experience in foodservice marketing and media. Currently serving as the Vice President of Sales for Total Food Service magazine, he bridges the gap by connecting foodservice brands to foodservice operators. Staying abreast of new marketing techniques marked by a combination of a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to success, Michael is always eager to help his colleagues and clients.

As founder of Cali BBQ Media, Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) helps brands leverage the new Business Creator Economy with Smartphone Storytelling.

His restaurant Cali BBQ (@calibbq) opened in 2008 and has multiple locations in San Diego, including at Snapdragon Stadium, Maker Kitchen, and the Navy Exchange.

Shawn is the host of multiple digital series, including Toast’s Family Style show. His Restaurant Influencers video podcast published by Entrepreneur Media has reached more than 30 million people
since debuting in 2022.

As a keynote speaker and industry leader, he has influenced lots of people to start creating their own B2B content and improving their digital presence.

Shawn’s strategies have led to Cali BBQ Media (@calibbqmedia) being featured by the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, New York Times, Eater, and other local and national media outlets.

Cali BBQ Media: www.BeTheShow.media
Cali BBQ Restaurant: www.CaliBBQ.media

Sara Perez Webber is the editor-in-chief of Catering, Foodservice & Events, previously named
Catering Magazine. Sara has written more than 300 articles about the catering, foodservice and
events industries, and has interviewed scores of catering professionals. She is co-writing a book
with caterer Bill Hansen, Plating Up Profits: Miami’s Catering Icon Dishes Up Lessons for
Business Success, which will be published in January 2025.

A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., Sara has worked as an editor and writer
for nearly 30 years. She’s been on the staff of such publications as Caribbean Travel & Life
magazine and Travel Agent magazine, and she continues to write freelance travel articles. Sara
lives in South Florida with her husband and three sons.

Darren S. Denington, CFBE has been in the hospitality industry for over 37 years.  With a degree in Food & Beverage Management and being a Certified Food & Beverage Executive, he understands the importance education plays in the hospitality industry.  Darren has an extensive background in the restaurant industry, including Owner, Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director, District Manager and General Manager.  His understanding of management, operations and startup, has taken him across the country to speak to companies seeking his expertise. Darren has presented his expertise at over two hundred seminars including most of the nation's most popular trade shows.

During the past twenty-six years, Darren has owned and operated a secret shopping, restaurant coaching and hospitality team training company, Service With Style. He has focused on guest service and employee training as well as team building while helping over a thousand establishments nationwide to understand their guests’ perspectives.  He works closely with operators helping them implement the right systems to improve their establishments. 

Hannah Lopez is a visionary leader in the realm of hospitality and a true enthusiast of the Plant Based Industry. With an unwavering passion for promoting healthier choices and sustainable living, Hannah has taken on the pivotal role of Food Service Director at the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA). PBFA is the nation's premier trade association for leading plant-based food companies and Hannah is dedicated to championing, fortifying, and uplifting both members and the entire plant-based foods sector.

Hannah's journey has been guided by her innate dedication to bettering the food industry. Her fervor for plant-based products has led her to the forefront of this transformative movement. As a trailblazer, Hannah's mission is clear: to infuse the Food Service industry with the vitality of plant-based options. She firmly believes that the key to monumental decisions lies in attentive consumer engagement – a principle that aligns seamlessly with PBFA's mission. With her understanding of market dynamics and an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, Hannah, along with PBFA, is here to offer invaluable guidance, ensuring the seamless integration of plant power into menus across the Food Service landscape.