Catering in Santa Monica | Shutters on the Beach - Catering

Our special events team is here to help

Toby Lent

Director of Catering & Conference Services

Toby Lent is the Director of Catering and Conference Services at Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar. Having worked at many wonderful hotels across the country for over twenty years, Toby offers a wealth of hotel and catering management experience. Toby and his dedicated staff bring a client’s vision to reality. Toby’s enthusiasm and dedication makes planning meetings and events a delight.

Hobbies:

Dinners and fun outings with friends, movies, reading, mini road trips and enjoying quiet time away from the office.

Inspired By:

Parents, for so many reasons.

Elizabeth Medel

Catering Manager

Elizabeth is an original member of the opening Casa Del Mar catering team, and has recently returned to the Edward Thomas Collection after working as Group Sales Manager at the St. Regis Los Angeles and Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites.

Hobbies:

Diving, wine tasting, and spending time with my 2 boys.

Bruce Hochberger

Associate Director of Catering Sales

With over twenty one years in the Los Angeles hospitality industry, Bruce is an expert in everything from corporate board meetings to lavish social events. Always wearing a smile, he can put any meeting planner at ease.

Hobbies:

Traveling, cooking, movies, and reading.

Inspired By:

Honesty and hardworking people.

Lee-Andra Peel

Conference Services Manager

Lee-Andra joined the hotels as a Sales Administrative Assistant in 2005. She later moved on to a position as an Entertainment Coordinator in the Sales Department and in 2007, she became a part of the Catering Team as a Conference Services Manager. She has enjoyed coordinating events for the hotels ever since. Lee-Andra always brings a calm, organized focus to her work. She has been a great asset to the hotels and always does an amazing job with clients.

Hobbies:

Spending time with friends and family, entertaining, music, movies, reading, cooking, and traveling.

Inspired By:

Life experiences and those whose positivity surrounds me.

Nick Ovanessoff

Conference Service Manager

A Southern California native and graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Nick has been part of the ETC team since 2008.

Hobbies:

Surfing, yoga, wine tasting, traveling, & experiencing new foods.

Inspired By:

The different cultures of the places I've visited, people that I've met, and those that follow their dreams and passions in life.

Erica Mendoza

Catering Manager

Erica graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration. Shortly thereafter, she moved to San Diego to join the Evans Hotels as a Catering Sales Manager for four years. Erica than joined the Destination Hotels and Resorts collection and worked at Estancia Jolla Hotel and Spa for four years before making the move to the Los Angeles area. Over the years Erica has assisted in facilitating a wide range of events from a high profile celebrity nuptial, to an extravagantly themed bar mitzvah reception, and even a highly technical banquet for political candidates.

Hobbies:

Exercising, reading, traveling and entertaining with family and friends.

Inspired By:

Honesty, positivity and life experiences.