Excellence in Every Detail. Teamwork in Every Step.

Above All Catering & Events is a family-owned, full-service catering and event coordination company, proudly serving the greater Orange County and Los Angeles region since 1994. Founded on a passion for bringing people together, our company was inspired by the culinary traditions and hospitality of the owner’s grandmothers, whose love for gathering family and friends around the table continues to guide everything we do.

Our team is devoted to creating unforgettable experiences through exceptional cuisine, meticulous attention to detail, and genuine, heartfelt service. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, we strive to make every event a reflection of our clients’ vision, ensuring each moment is as meaningful and memorable as the people it celebrates. At Above All Catering & Events, we don’t just cater events, we craft experiences that honor tradition, celebrate connection, and leave a lasting impression.

Work With Us

Meet the Culinary & Event Experts Behind Above All

A man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a light green t-shirt and a silver watch, sitting in a white chair next to a large green potted plant, smiling outdoors.

Gary Rodgers

FOUNDER & CEO

Gary Rodgers is the Founder and CEO of Above All Catering and has been the heart behind the company for over 30 years. With decades of experience in the industry, Gary is passionate about creating beautiful events and ensuring every guest leaves happy, full, and impressed. What he loves most is seeing a vision come to life—from the first planning conversation to the final bite.

When he’s not overseeing events, you’ll find Gary enjoying a great steak, playing a round of golf, sipping on a good glass of wine, or tackling home projects on the weekends.

A smiling woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a chef's coat and black apron, sitting on a white chair next to a tall green plant in a gray pot, in front of a beige curtain.

Shailee Johnson

EXECUTIVE CHEF

A woman with red hair wearing a white blazer and beige pants, sitting on a white chair, resting her chin on her hand, with a plant in the background.

Shailee is the Executive Chef at Above All Catering and has been creating unforgettable culinary experiences for nearly three years. She believes great food is more than flavor—it’s about feeling, and she’s passionate about crafting dishes that leave a lasting impression on every guest.

When she’s not in the kitchen, you’ll most likely find her at the beach, soaking up the sun and inspiration.

Danielle Schmidt

SALES MANAGER

Danielle is a Sales Representative at Above All Catering and has been with the team for almost two years. What she loves most about her role is being part of people’s most special moments—whether that’s a wedding, birthday celebration, or corporate holiday event.

Outside of work, Danielle spends her days off with her furbabies, binge-watching reality TV, traveling with her pups, and enjoying Taco Bell.

A smiling man with short brown hair, wearing a white t-shirt and navy blazer, seated on a white chair, with a tall green plant in a white pot behind him and a beige wall in the background.

Brandon Harris

DIRECTOR OF SALES

A smiling middle-aged woman with gray hair wearing a white button-down shirt, sitting on a white chair with her hands resting on her lap, and a tall green plant in the background.

Brandon is the Director of Sales at Above All Catering and has been with the team for four months. He loves seeing clients recognize the hard work that goes into creating exceptional events.

A true food enthusiast, Brandon brings a global perspective to every experience, having lived in Asia and Europe and spent time on an organic farm in Spain.

Alicia Tineo

SALES MANAGER

Young woman with brown hair, tattoos on her arms, wearing a white t-shirt, sitting in a white chair with a plant behind her.

Alicia is an Event Specialist and Sales Manager at Above All Catering and has been with the company for 21 years. She loves supporting clients and providing exceptional customer service throughout the planning process.

Outside of work, Alicia is a proud mom to four and spends her time at soccer games, swimming classes, shopping with her daughter, and traveling to Phoenix to visit her family—including her grandson, Apollo.

Matilda Prole

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Matilda is the Marketing Director at Above All Catering and has been with the company for two and a half years. She loves the creative side of her role—designing digital marketing materials, bringing event visions to life through storytelling, and connecting with new people at events.

When she’s not working, you’ll usually find Matilda at the beach with her 5-year-old cocker spaniel, Willow, and her boyfriend, Evan—either watching him surf or curled up with a good book.

a middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a white shirt and black pants, sitting on a white chair, with a tall green plant in a pot behind him, against a beige background

Fernando Licea

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

A woman with long, dark wavy hair sitting in a white armchair, wearing a white long-sleeve top and light-colored pants, with jewelry including necklaces and bracelets, next to a tall green plant in a pot, against a beige wall.

Fernando is the Director of Operations at Above All Catering and has been with the company for 14 years. He loves being part of the team that brings each client’s vision to life and finds the most excitement in delivering flawless events and earning glowing client feedback.

With a long career in the catering industry, Fernando still truly loves what he does. Outside of work, his Sundays are reserved for brunch and watching soccer—his favorite way to recharge.

Valery Moreno

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Valery is the Operations Manager at Above All Catering and has been with the company for 15 years. Starting as a server and growing through roles in driving, event leadership, sales, and operations, she’s grown alongside the company and loves seeing events come together seamlessly from start to finish.

Passionate about teamwork and growth, Valery is dedicated to delivering exceptional service. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends, and discovering new food spots.

A woman with wavy blonde hair smiling and sitting in a white armchair, wearing a white blazer over a white top, with a large green potted plant behind her against a beige background.

Giselle Gonzalez

SALES ASSISTANT

Giselle is an Office Assistant supporting Sales and Accounting at Above All Catering and has been with the company for almost 11 years. After spending 10 years working events as an Event Lead and Server, she now supports the team from the office while learning the sales side and beginning to work with her own clients.

She loves being involved in the full process from planning to execution and helping events come together seamlessly. When she’s not working, Giselle enjoys getting creative with table escapes and elevated buffet setups—décor and risers are her happy place.

Melanie Myles

CONTROLLER

Melanie is part of the Bookkeeping and Accounting team at Above All Catering and has been with the company since 2025. She loves the planning and implementation of systems that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Known for her appreciation of bad puns and people who make her laugh, Melanie also has a serious love for Fran’s Dark Chocolate Truffles—just don’t offer her the fruit-filled ones.

A man in a white shirt and black tie holding a tray of small dessert cups, serving a man in a blue checkered blazer at an outdoor gathering with other people in the background.

“I highly recommend Above All Catering!!!

We just had our wedding and they did such an amazing job! All of our guests love the food and the service of their staff was exceptional! I couldn't ask for anything more on our my special day! Danielle our catering contact was amazing and on point and knew her stuff! She was professional and ensured everything ran smoothly!”