In the competitive and discerning world of catering a director of sales with relationships, energy and a creative philosophy is key to the growth and success of a company. Festivities Catering, the high-end catering division of H Events, San Diego’s multi-faceted culinary visionaries, has found these qualities and more in their recent hire, new Director of Sales, Matt Berardi who will continue the company’s success and evolution in all catering markets, from weddings, to corporate events and galas to social experiences.
Known for their fine turned and exceptional client services, Matt brings a business and hands-on culinary background to his new position, including being the executive chef and lead event consultant at the famed Abbey in La Jolla. As the new Director of Sales, Matt will work with newly hired Corporate Executive Chef Eric Bauer (previously at Rancho Valencia) to create exemplary events and resources for catering customers.
“H Events has been building relationships and business by doing what we do best. Delivering a service that exceeds clients’ expectations, and connecting with our clients on many levels,” says Berardi. “We work hard to bring their visions to life, and value every conversation that we have with them because our goal is the same, executing a flawless event.”
Matt comes from a strong culinary background, with experience networking in the culinary field at several different levels and with that is able to create and lead teams to success. Matt is excited to use the knowledge he has gained from having his hands in all departments of the industry and help breakdown the details of events so clients understand all aspects of their events, from a private 20-person dinner to a corporate event with 3,000 guests. Matt’s knack for listening has always been the key to his relationship building along with his passion for making each event unique, while striving to be truly creative.
“Our team is filled with talent, and each person brings something different to the table which allows us to converse amongst each other to truly provide a top-notch catering experience,” says Berardi.
About H Events:
Hospitality Events, Inc. (H Events) originated the corporate picnic catering industry in San Diego County in 1984 when Lisa Richards founded Picnic People. 28 years later, she and her business partner, Frank Christian, have diversified the company based on client needs and now own and operate the second largest off-premise catering and special events operations in San Diego.
Picnic People was started out of Lisa Richards’ home while she was a student at The University of San Diego. It began as a corporate picnic business and now specializes in all types of outdoor event catering – picnics, tailgate parties, grand openings, company appreciation events and more.
In 1987, Festivities Catering and Special Events began as a response to Picnic People’s clients requests for additional, more upscale services. The new division quickly achieved great success not only in the corporate world, but also in the upscale social catering market and as a premier wedding caterer.
H Events partnered with Greystone Hotels in 2011, as the management company for the food and beverage option at The Bristol Hotel. The Bristol is a premier boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown San Diego, California, steps from the historic landmark Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel offers exceptional comfort and service for your leisure and business travel needs. Taking a fresh approach to modern style, The Bristol Hotel is both sophisticated and casual and offers newly updated hotel rooms, thoughtful amenities, and contemporary facilities.
In 2012, H Events partnered with the international organization, Dîner en Blanc, to create a flash mob, pop up style event. At the last minute, the location is given to thousands of ticket holders who have been patiently waiting to learn the “Dîner en Blanc’s” secret place. Guests dressed all in white, and conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, all meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space.
The commissary, built and owned by Lisa and Rick Richards, was constructed specifically to meet the needs of clients and events and encompasses 30,000 square feet. On the two and a half acre site, Hospitality Events operates within 20,000 square feet. Within this facility is a 6,000 square foot state-of-the-art kitchen, 6,650 square feet of warehouse area and 7,350 square feet of office space. The loading dock and outside space allows us to maintain a fleet of trucks including a mobile kitchen, a refrigeration truck and 23 box trucks, trailers and vans.
Having multiple divisions has allowed Hospitality Events to provide a full spectrum of event services to our diverse clientele. We pride ourselves on recognizing and building events which reflect the client while making the guest experience exceptional. For more information please visit www.heventsinc.com.
