About

Established in 1985 by Katherine Hilboldt Farrell, Katherine's Catering has become the benchmark of fine catering in the Ann Arbor area. It is a reputable and well-established firm, able to produce events of any size, to meet most budgets. Everything Katherine's makes is prepared with only the freshest ingredients available.

Talented event planners, chefs and professionally trained staff have an exquisite eye for detail and have inspired customers with their dedication to quality and creativity. They ensure that every facet of the event is handled with care and concern, so that guests can relax and enjoy themselves.

Learn how Katherine Farrell's creativity, love of food and entertaining led to the creation of Katherine's Catering - The Complete Story of Katherine's Catering (PDF: 29K)

• Katherine Hilboldt Farrell - Owner & President
• Read her biography
• katherine@katherines.com

• What She Loves About Her Company: The variety that catering brings every day and the people she works with - clients, mentors and co-workers.
• Three Greatest Passions: Food, love and people.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: All the sauces and salsas we make - you can mix and match them to achieve hundreds of great flavors/textures.
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel and Seaside, Florida.
• Word that Best Describes Her: Energetic!
• Guiding Principle: Be honest with yourself and others and stand up for what you believe in. Follow that path in everything you do.

• Rula Bawardi - Director of Sales
• rula@katherines.com

• What She Loves About Her Job: I love the diversity, every event is different, and every client is special. I love the creativity that goes into planning events; working with budgets, creating menus, selecting linens, props and flowers, and finally the delight when everything comes together to create a fabulous event.
• Three Greatest Passions: Chocolate, music, and going out & exploring new restaurants.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Fire Roasted Vegetable Platter with a Chipotle Vinaigrette drizzle and the Ginger Soy Beef Satays. The presentations are just beautiful and the flavors are amazing!
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Italy
• Word that Best Describes Her: Innovative
• Education: BA in Communication from George Mason University

• Annette Esch - Event Planner
• annette@katherines.com

• What She Loves About Her Job: Every day is a little different and holds something new.
• Three Greatest Passions: People, entertaining and my relationship with God and my church community.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Cajun Bacon Wrapped Chicken and Brie en Croûte
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Shymbulak in the Zailijski Alatau Mountains of Kazakhstan
• Word That Best Describes Her: Detailed
• Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Cooking a meal for and entertaining friends at home for a nice, relaxing evening.
• Education: BA in Russian Studies from the University of Michigan
• Guiding Principle: If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time.

• Jenna McCormick - Assistant Event Planner
• jenna@katherines.com

• What She Loves About Her Job: The variety of people we serve. Working on all the stages that lead to a successful event. Also, the creativity that the job allows.
• Three Greatest Passions: Family/Friends, dancing, and baking.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Michigan Chicken
• Favorite Vacation Spot: I'm still exploring.
• Word That Best Describes Her: Reasonable
• Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Anything with family and friends.
• Education: BBA in Marketing, Eastern Michigan University
• Guiding Principle: A 1000 mile journey starts with a single step

• Carol Thompson - Marketing Coordinator
• carol@katherines.com

• What She Loves About Her Job: Everyone here has so much passion for what they do. Its very inspiring to be around such creativity all day.
• Three Greatest Passions: Food, love, and living each day to the fullest, experiencing everything life is made of.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Curried Chicken Salad
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Any place can be a vacation. Its all how you look at it. But if I had to pick a favorite: Savannah, Georgia.
• Word That Best Describes Her: Optimistic
• Favorite Way to Spend Time: Cooking with my hubby and watching old movies
• Education: Associates degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, Charleston, South Carolina
• Guiding Principle: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."-Theodor Geisel, (AKA Dr. Seuss)

• Kate Cameron - Bookkeeper/Office Manager
• kate@katherines.com

• What She Loves About Her Job: Working with really fun & nice people!
• Three Greatest Passions: Gardening, her cats and working with the Girl Scouts
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere and caramelized onions
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Colonial Williamsburg
• Word That Best Describes Her: Honest
• Education: BA in French and Spanish from Marygrove College, Detroit MI
• Guiding Principle: If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well!

• Barb Davis - Event Supervisor

• What She Loves About Her Job: Interacting with staff and clients.
• Three Greatest Passions: Food, Family and Friends
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Desserts
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere
• Word That Best Describes Her: Loving
• Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Reading and Sewing
• Education: College credits and continued though MEA
• Guiding Principle: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you!"

• Jenny Denham - Event Supervisor

• What She Loves About Her Job: Meeting new people
• Three Greatest Passions: Family, music and quiet time by herself
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Grilled Pesto Salmon
• Favorite Vacation Spot: the bathtub
• Word That Best Describes Her: Sweet
• Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Shopping
• Guiding Principle: "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

• Mike Hoener - Service Manager

• What He Loves About His Job: My interaction with clients and co-workers, the pride I feel of each successful and beautiful event, and also how proud I am to represent such a creative and incredibly talented company.
• Three Greatest Passions: Friends & family, music, and living in the moment.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Teriyaki Flank Steak
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Any beach along Nassau in the Bahamas - Paradise.
• Word That Best Describes Him: Passionate
• Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: To me, nothing beats hanging out with a few of my close friends, whether it be going to concerts or getting together to watch the Red Wings (Lions, Pistons, or Tigers) game.
• Guiding Principle: "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." -Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

• Todd Stapnowski - Executive Chef

• What He Loves About His Job: The ongoing challenges of a day-to-day operation.
• Favorite Food at Katherine's: Barbecued Baby Back Ribs and Shepherd's Pie
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Annual canoe trip up north with my best friends... Twenty-three years and running!!
• Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Working on my '67 Chevelle Super Sport Classic Car, Golfing and spending time with my wife Tracy.
• Guiding Principle: "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need." - Rolling Stones

Chef Todd Stapnowski has been leading the Katherine's kitchen production team since 2001. Chef Todd graduated from the Oakland Community College Culinary Arts Program, and has been honored with several awards. They include a bronze medal from the American Culinary Federation for his outstanding hors d'oeuvre presentation. He won a Gold Medal in the Sysco chef 'cook off', and he was also honored by the American Culinary Federation at the Plymouth Ice Carving Show with both Silver and Gold Medals.

Prior to his teaming with Katherine's, Chef Todd brought his amazing talent to Main Street Ventures, The Detroit Athletic Club, Washtenaw Country Club and the Gandy Dancer. He is thrilled to be teaching the Culinary Experiences cooking classes, and continues to educate himself and his amazing team of culinary professionals.