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ABOUT US
What started as a small, family-owned business and labor of love in 1982, has grown into one of Orange County's premier catering + event production companies. Current owners, John + Stacy LaBrake were involved early on in assisting Love At First Bite's Founders, Cindy + Steve Vatcher, in their vision to bring great food, great service, and great prices to catered events in Orange County. When the Vatchers made the difficult decision to move their family out of state, it was a natural transition for John & Stacy to take over, and continue the company's legacy. Now, over 40 years after LAFB first opened its doors, our team has grown, and you still won't find a catering company with more heart.
MEET THE OWNERS
JOHN LABRAKE
Co-Owner / Chef
John leads our kitchen + culinary team.
This guy loves slow-smoking meats, handcrafting sausages, and any excuse to get behind the grill. He also created his very own BBQ sauce, the "Almost Famous" Ace LaBrake BBQ Sauce which is the secret to our amazing BBQ menu.
Favorite Menu Items:
Slow-Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Chicken Piccata, & Asparagus Crepe Wraps
STACY LABRAKE
Co-Owner
Stacy keeps our company running smoothly by overseeing our day-to-day operations, including managing our event production team.
She makes the incredibly difficult job of keeping multiple balls in the air look graceful and works hard to keep
our Team LAFB feeling like family.
Favorite Menu Items:
Chicken Piccata, Poppyseed Chicken Bouchee Cups, & Cashew Chicken
MEET TEAM LAFB
The magic makers
VANESSA GERRIE
Director of Operations
With over 15+ years she oversees every event from start to finish and makes sure all the wheels are in motion
Favorite Menu Items:
Honey Pistachio Chevre,
Our Fire-Roasted Veggies,
Plantain Crusted Chicken
ARIANA GALEANA
Event Coordinator
Having worked as a Service Captain for 6 years, Ari knows how to make your event memorable and fun from start to finish. Her inside knowledge is invaluable.
Favorite Menu Items:
Mashed Potato Bar,
Bacon Wrapped Smokies, & Portobello Chicken
KRISTEN PARRISH
Coordinator / Chef
With over 25 years of experience with food in various capacities and a passion for nutrition. Her inspiration derives from regional cuisines from around the world.
Favorite Menu Items:
Antipasto Display, Marinated Artichoke Angel Hair Pasta Salad, Balsamic Tri-Tip
SUE PRESCOTT
Event Stylist + Specialist
With over 25+ Event experience and a passion for entertaining, she actively works within the community to create distinguished events
Favorite Menu Items:
Melt Bar, Smoked Tri-Tip with Creamy Horseradish Chive Sauce, & the Marinated Artichoke Angel Hair Pasta Salad
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KAREN GONZALEZ
Operations Manager
With 10 years experience working her way up from driver, to Lead Server, she's now the brain behind the logistics of our largest events
Favorite Menu Items:
Chicken Suiza Enchiladas,
Broccoli Stuffed Chicken, Balsamic Tri-Tip, Rice Pilaf, Harvest Salad
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DONNIE BRUYN
Chef / Service Captain
With over 45+ years experience running successful restaurants, he brings his showmanship to every action station + trains our service team in
the art of hospitality
Favorite Menu Items:
Smoked Tri Tip + Ace BBQ sauce, Havarti Mac-N-Cheese Bar,
Wellingtons, Clambake,
& all of the Action Stations!
STEPHANIE GERRIE
Mayor of Snoozeville
Yes you read that correctly. Steph does all that boring stuff... everything from HR, onboarding, scheduling and payroll preparation thru to financial analysis and she makes it look fun
Favorite Menu Items:
Cookies, Wood-Fired Pizza Station, & Baked Brie en Croute
RAMON SOLIS
Tech Guy
A dynamic team member. His web design skills create user-friendly websites, while his dedication to feedback, server coordination, and sales ensures exceptional customer experiences
Favorite Menu Items:
The Mini Mousse Cups, and the Garlic Mashed Potatoes
ANGELINA GALEANA
Chef
With over 20 years of experience, she puts the "love" in every dish as the Mama of the culinary team
Favorite Menu Items:
Chicken Parmesan with our version of the Caesar Salad,
& Chicken Suiza Enchiladas
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KELSEA ALMEIDA
Lead Server
She's passionate about service and her artistic side comes out with beautiful tiered buffet displays
Favorite Menu Items:
Chicken Piccata, Bacon Wrapped Smokies & Baked Potato Bar
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ARTURO GALEANA
Lead / Action Chef
Our jack-of-all-trades. From behind the scenes event prep, to serving you with a smile. He makes being everywhere look easy!
Favorite Menu Items:
Cookies!
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DREW MATHEWS
Lead / Action Chef
He does it all. Drew is focused on fun and delicious culinary experiences. Pizza, Pasta, Omelettes, you name it!
Favorite Menu Items:
Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken,
Chicken Suiza Enchiladas,
& Chicken Piccata
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ALY ALMEIDA
Operations Assistant
Aly's the list checking queen, she takes care of the day to day checkoffs to make sure everything's in it's place and on time
Favorite Menu Items:
Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
with basil cream sauce
Mini Beef Wellington
& Summer Squash Lasagna
YETZANNETT SOTO
Production Assistant
Yetz helps pull the equipment for each event and creates beautiful buffet displays
Favorite Menu Items:
Pomegranate Brie Tartlets, Asparagus Crepe Wraps,
Pear Gorgonzola Crostinis
& Mac N Cheese Bites
ALENNY SOLIS
Lead Server
6+ years of experience and an eye for meticulous detail. She loves to go the extra mile to make sure clients are happy.
Favorite Menu Items:
Chicken Piccata, Mac and Cheese Bar, Cookies
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SUSAN WILSON
Service Team
With over 25 years of experience, Susan makes our clients feel like family and shines with Southern Belle hospitality.
Favorite Menu Items:
Smoked BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Spinach Orzo, Potato Taquitos
& California Salad
COLE LABRAKE
Numbers Guy
Cole is the meticulous accounting professional keeping everything in line at LAFB, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of all our financials.
Favorite Menu Items:
Mini Beef Wellingtons,
Baby Back Ribs, Mousse Cups
VICTOR OCHOA
Lead / Action Chef
Victor is a Lead Server and Action Chef and leads the team with a smile, while also ensuring the service team stays organized and on top of the details.
Favorite Menu Items:
Bacon Wrapped Smokies, Italian Chopped Salad, Chicken Piccata
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JORDAN VALLE
Production Assistant
Jordan pulls the beautiful buffet displays for each of our events and makes sure each one matches the vibe with every detail
Favorite Menu Items:
Strawberry Fields Salad, Angie's Salmon, Bacon Wrapped Smokies
JESSY SOLIS
Service Team
Jessy, a vital member of the Love At First Bite service team, plays a crucial role prepping in the warehouse beforehand
Favorite Menu Items:
Flank Steak, Peanut Butter Cookies, Lemonade, Garlic Mashed Potatoes
TC
Lead Server
TC worked with us 20 years ago... we are so happy she returned, bringing her awesome experience, client focus and leadership skills, driving even more event success.
Favorite Menu Items:
Mini Beef Wellington and the delicious Tri-Tip.
