Meet The Team
Culinary Special Events
We are an inspired culinary group of hospitality and industry professionals specializing in developing events from vision to seamless execution.
Our niche service promotes camaraderie and community through the power of shared culinary competition-cooking experience. Our team of chefs have been celebrated for their award-winning cuisine, compete in Iron Chef Throwdowns, Battle of the Chef events, Culinary Festivals, and BBQ competitions. Many of our events host celebrity chefs, locally renowned chefs, culinary instructors, and Sous Chefs. We look forward to working with you on your next event, engaging your team building programs and bringing your event vision to life.
Ron Oliver
Executive Guest Chef – San Diego
Robin Katz
Executive Chef – San Diego
Gail Kurpgeweit
Executive Chef – Scottsdale/Phoenix/National Events
George Frasher
Executive Chef & BBQ Pit Master – Scottsdale-Phoenix
Kelly Dramberger
Executive Chef – Houston
Martin Lowe
Executive Chef – Houston
Darlene Smith
Executive Chef – Scottsdale/Phoenix/New York
Genevra Sullivan, Founder and CEO
Genevra is the visionary and force behind Culinary Special Events. A 22-year veteran of the hospitality, resort, restaurant and special event industries. Genevra’s expertise in designing culinary experiences and “Iron Chef” team building events was crafted while working with top chefs in Scottsdale, AZ through a Culinary Special Events Studio and Viking Kitchen Showroom.
Her extensive experience includes working with culinary inspired events, renowned chefs, corporate group team building and national convention clientele. Genevra’s professionalism and tenacity are indicative of her commitment to provide excellent service for her clients.
Her career accomplishments are noteworthy. She has held catering, convention and destination management positions with The Phoenician – Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort ∓ Spa. With Blue Star Resort & Golf, Genevra sat on the executive committee responsible for the grand opening of the Shea Homes-Trilogy resort and country and launched the resort as Director of Catering and Lifestyle Events at Encanterra.
Genevra has extensive experience working in the automotive and high-performance kart racing hospitality arena. From venue vision to grand opening, she has been responsible for developing and growing Corporate Group Sales and special events with The Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving-Phoenix, creating the Destination Management & Corporate Sales division of Octane Raceway-Scottsdale and worked as Director of Sales & Business Development for Speedsportz Racing Park North Houston at Grand Texas. Fueling her passion for culinary team building events and performance kart and auto racing, you can be sure she will be planning your next culinary Grand Prix event!
Career highlights include planning culinary events with the Super Bowl Committee and team owners of the Atlanta Falcons, planning a 4 Day-Motorsports Racing Themed Surprise 50th birthday party for comedian Tim Allen, coordinating events for the Arizona State Wildcats basketball team and serviced many Hollywood celebrities Naomi and Wynona Judd, Joan Rivers, Alan Alda and Tom Selleck.
Yinka Freeman, Event Specialist
Yinka is our pro event specialist at Culinary Special Events. She is here to support your event, deliver phenomenal service and generate the excitement around your organization.
Yinka has been in the hospitality and events industry for 15 years, working in sales, event planning and design and catering. Her past companies include the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, Hilton Hotels, Wyndham Hotel Group and Behind the Scenes Catering and Events. She is also the founder of our partner company of Triple Pocket Events, a full-service event planning company based in San Diego, California.
Yinka expertise lies in conceptualizing event themes, preparing and managing event timelines, coordinating technical aspects and logistics and managing event staff. Her creativity and resourcefulness are crucial in organizing and hosting successful events that meet your business objectives.
