The Events by Classic Team

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Our melting pot of personalities and talents begin with the owners (the lucky ones), who maintain a grand vision for their company and promote an atmosphere of warmth, excellence and expertise for both their clients and staff. Together with an enthusiastic and gifted crew from management to dishwashers, the Events by Classic Group is excited and ready to take care of you and your guests for your special occasion or corporate event!  Get to know some of the team:

Our Mission Statement

To consistently excel for our clients through quality cuisine, professional service, attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm, and to provide our employees a comfortable and professional team environment of respect, integrity, leadership, interpersonal growth, AND FUN!

Meet the Lucky Ones — to have such a Dedicated Team!

Dean Young
Dean YoungExecutive Chef

Can’t live without: My wife-y, family, business, tennis, hikes, laughter & our sweet dog’s love.

Dean is the driving force behind everything creative about our menus and food, and, believe it or not, he loves to jump in as on-site chef when he can; he’s an adrenaline junkie and can make a kitchen out of a desert. We call him MacGyver, after the epic action-adventure TV series.

Debbie Young
Debbie YoungDirector of Hospitality

Can’t live without: Hikes in the forest with our dog, fires in the Fireplace, Pinot Noir & Family

Being the heartbeat of our culture, Debbie reigns with kindness and caring! Her personal goal is not about sales (don’t tell the CFO), but about our client’s experience; and it shows in the long and passionate reviews the company receives.

Jim Cox
Jim CoxDirector of Facilities & Beverages

Can’t live without: From my immediate family to our growing “catering family,” they all bring me great happiness.

Odd mix of responsibilities? Not for Jim! He loves keeping our venues beautiful including coming up with ways to enhance your customer experience, from lighting and canopies, to overseeing our bars, beverage inventory, and finding the best for our clients are all part of what he continues to improve on.

Cheryl Cox
Cheryl CoxDirector of Finance & Marketing

Can’t live without: Jesus, holding hands with my hubby, family vacations, BFFs & wine.

Her titles may be an oxymoron, but Cheryl is as passionate about an Excel spreadsheet as she is about design … and property renovation (hence, her love for the Director of Facilities).

Meet the Dedicated Team!

Susan Villani
Susan VillaniSales/Event Specialist

Can’t live without: Love & Laughter.

Susan joined the team after working in sales and catering for local hotels and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Experienced with a vast variety of events, from weddings to conferences and non-profit fundraisers, she enjoys assisting each of her clients in making their event a super successful one. Susan tells us she enjoys working with the Events by Classic Group because of the diversity of events and locations that we serve, “it keeps things fresh and exciting!”

Amanda Hope
Amanda HopeEvent Sales Director

Can’t live without: My ever-loving family, Nespresso, hikes in Big Sur, veggies and champagne.

Having held various roles in hospitality for over 10 years (from food & beverage to group sales in hotels), Amanda is a well-rounded professional who is passionate about building client relationships and providing genuine hospitality. Amanda’s focus is on impeccable service, creativity, teamwork, innovative change, complete ownership and follow-through. Amanda feels fortunate to be a part of our dynamic team and excited about the future growth of Events by Classic.

Hana Nishiguchi
Hana NishiguchiSales/Event Specialist

Can’t live without: My family, who inspire me daily, nature, good coffee, Japanese food, Soul food & peanut butter cookies.

Hana has worked as a Professional Design Consultant for over 10 years. While designing her first wedding, she fell in love with events and decided to pursue event planning full time. Having worked for several hotels as an event coordinator, then as a sales manager, Hana is committed to providing excellent customer service for her individual and corporate clients. Thrilled to be a part of a team that embodies high standards for cuisine and service, Hana is inspired and motivated by her colleagues and clients every day.

Richard Wood
Richard WoodSales/Event Specialist

Can’t live without: My kids, laughter, an intense cardio workout at 5am every morning, and peanut butter.

Working in hospitality most of his life, Richard learned he had a passion and desire for helping brides with their special days while working at a 5-star resort in Napa Valley. That desire brought him to the Monterey Peninsula where he became a certified wedding planner and is now overjoyed to be working with the team at Events by Classic.

Kathleen Lally
Kathleen LallyHR & Finance Manager

Can’t live without: My husband and 2 children, cooking, wine, gardening & watching old Doris Day & Rock Hudson movies.

As the Finance & Human Resource Manager, Kathleen focuses from the fiscal and employment law arenas. Overseeing the coordination of our payroll/benefits and risk management programs, Kathleen provides guidance and assistance to the owners and her co-workers with questions regarding business best-practices, payroll, accounts receivables/payable , and employees’ work-life balance. She feels very fortunate to be a part of the Events by Classic Group corporate staff!

Amanda Ziobro
Amanda ZiobroEvent Staff Manager

Can’t live without: Family, Podcasts, Anything on Bravo, Water, Harry Potter, and a Beautiful View.

Amanda is a transplant from the East Coast. We are slowly converting her to the West Coast ways! After managing restaurants in DC for years, Amanda moved west to explore life beyond the Mississippi. She managed a luxury yurt camp in Montana and attended pastry school in Oregon. Her combined experiences in Front of House and Back of House made her the perfect fit for our Staff Manager role. Amanda has a passion for people, laughter and helping others achieve their potential.

Corinne Barnes
Corinne BarnesOperations Assistant

Can’t live without: God’s word, my supportive husband, adorable grand-kids, sunshine, the beach & yoga.

Her start in events began at Tarpy’s Roadhouse where she worked as Banquet and Catering Manager before taking a break from management, which is when she joined us a “Rock Star” server and captain. It was hard not to notice Corinne’s “management” skills, and are so fortunate she agreed to get back in the saddle and join us full time. She loves special events, especially weddings, and is excited to be able to add to our team’s efficiency by giving support both operationally and administratively. Corinne tells us she is blessed to be part of a team that works together and has unbelievably delicious food every time.

Enrique Javier
Enrique JavierHead Chef

Can’t live without: The ocean, fishing, nature and my daughters (everything I do is for them).

“BC” (Before Classic), Enrique ran the kitchen for the acclaimed Mission Ranch and Crème Carmel. While Chef Enrique has many talents, you especially want to have a tasting spoon in hand when he’s whipping up his sensational sauces & sautés. Enrique is very passionate about his work and takes great pride in each and every dish that comes out of his kitchen.

Nilton Juarez
Nilton JuarezSous Chef

Can’t live without: Family, Chiles Rellenos, Chocolate and Music.

Nilton is one of those “1 in a thousand,” and we pinch ourselves to be so fortunate to have him on our team. Skilled in many arenas, Nilton is just as at home being in charge of the kitchen as he is at using his incredible talents as a builder. He helps Jim keep our venues in tip top shape, and even builds props as needed — and what about that smile; he’s always smiling!

Elias Monroy
Elias MonroySous Chef

Can’t live without: My Wife and 2 Kids, then Food, Work, Friends and Sports.

Elias has 13 years experience, 10 of them managing the kitchen of a high volume restaurant. Having joined us 3 years ago, Elias’ cooking talents and meticulous attention to detail quickly moved him up the ladder to sous chef for our intimate venue in Pacific Grove, Gatherings. We consider him very important to our team, and he is loved and respected by his coworkers.

Along with the rest of our crew, we all look forward
to making your special occasion as you envision it!
Contact Us Today!