Meet the Team

Ryan Corvaia

Founder + Owner

Ryan Corvaia founded Dish Food & Events in 2008 and has led the company through steady growth year after year. At Dish, ​he focuses on overall business development and guiding the company’s mission, core values and creative vision. Ryan is also the founder of Heart Hospitality Consulting where he coaches and trains company owners and leaders on elevating your business with “Hospitality as Company Culture.” With a focus on hiring, training, mentorship, team retention and human resources, Ryan’s philosophy is that heart hospitality starts with your team and ultimately flows to your clients and guests. Ryan proudly sits on the Executive Board of the International Caterers Association (ICA), ​where he is the current President Elect of the organization. He and his husband, Maulik Pancholy, split their time between Brooklyn, NY and East Hampton, NY, where Ryan is an avid flower and vegetable gardener.

Betty Kalin

Vice President

Betty serves as the Vice President of Dish Food & Events, where she oversees the sales and operations teams. Betty Kalin’s passion is managing people, business development and operational excellence. She is a seasoned professional with 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry encompassing restaurants, hotels, and catering. Prior to her role at Dish, Betty operated her own boutique catering company, Betty Brooklyn Catering Co., and worked at prestigious companies including the Marriott Marquis, Ritz Carlton, and Core: Club. Betty is also an active member of CAMBA’s junior board, ICA Education Committee and the PS 230 PTA.

AJ Harris

Executive Chef

As Executive Chef, AJ oversees Dish’s culinary operation including menu development and daily food productions. AJ has his roots in Kentucky and Hawaii. His mixed backgrounds led him to his love of cooking and guided him to attend The Culinary Institute of America. His experiences and training from NYC restaurants such as The Standard Hotel, Untitled at the Whitney, Respite, and Proof on Main in Louisville molded him to be the Chef he is today. “I love promoting company culture by having sales and operations work together as much as possible–including having the sales team cook family meal! It provides an opportunity for the kitchen cooks and other departments to work together.” When not at work, AJ enjoys spending his time with his son, skateboarding, and riding bicycles.

Deborah Daoudi

Director of Sales

As the Director of Sales at Dish, Deborah loves the passion her sales team brings when booking a range of events from corporate conferences, non-profit galas, and custom weddings. “The whole team from sales, culinary, operations, and onsite staff really bring so much innovation & hospitality to every event,” she says. Deborah is originally from Georgia, where she got her Hospitality degree. She’s managed sales at Buddakan & Morimoto, Del Frisco’s Steakhouse, and Fifth Group Restaurants. When not at work, Deborah is kept busy with her husband, son, and daughter, eating and exploring all NYC has to offer.

Niubelka Vasquez

Operations Manager

As Dish’s Operations Manager, Niubelka is able to combine her love for logistics with her drive for innovation. Whether it’s building efficient systems or a champagne wall, she loves a challenge. The best part of her job is the people she gets to work with, finding energy and joy in collaboration every day. Born in Venezuela and shaped by Brooklyn, Niubelka brings creativity and precision to every project. After attending law school she found her real passion in the events world, enjoying making things happen behind the scenes. When she’s off the clock, you’ll find her cooking up a storm or getting lost in true crime documentaries.

Rainey Rowan

Hospitality Manager

As the Hospitality Manager at Dish, Rainey has found a melding of her event knowledge, love of people, and the desire to cultivate cohesive administration as well as curate experiences that elevate individual humanity. Rainey’s background includes spending the past 20 years immersed in the performance and event industry. Growing up in Los Angeles set the stage for her journey to New York City, where she focused on experiential event coordination. She has collaborated with a wide range of leaders in various industries, including Steps on Broadway, The Tribeca Film Festival, The New York Renaissance Faire, Pittsburgh CLO, and others.

Michael Guadagno

Senior Event Director

Originally from Long Island, Michael joined the Dish team in 2015 as an intern to complete his degree in Culinary and Hospitality Management. After graduating, he joined the team full-time and truly found his passion for events. Over his 10 years at Dish Food & Events, he has become a crucial member of the sales team and maintains a wide variety of client relationships. He sells and plans a broad range of events, from large-scale corporate activations to many of Dish’s weddings. When not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his husband, cat, and dog in Brooklyn. They love exploring the Hudson region of NY and spending time with their family and friends.

Evalyn Carter

Senior Event Director

Evalyn started with the Dish team in 2017 as an Event Coordinator and quickly moved up to Event Specialist. Now a Senior Event Director, she’s an integral part of the sales team. She plans everything from corporate daily drop-offs to full-service weddings, galas, and conferences. Her favorite part of working at Dish is hearing the personal and important details clients bring to their events and working with the culinary and production team to incorporate those special moments. She hails from the Midwest, where she graduated from The University of Michigan, and in her free time, she is mostly traveling for new food favorites and watching college football — GO BLUE!

Heather Levine

Event Director

Heather has been producing events in New York City since 2007 and has focused on planning full-scale catering events since 2017. Heather joined the Dish sales team in 2020. Whether it’s a wedding or corporate gala, Heather is excited to share her project management experience and meticulous attention to detail in helping her clients achieve their vision and stay organized… all while having fun! When not producing events all around NYC and beyond, Heather can be found spending time with her family in Brooklyn.

Clark Kinkade

Event Director

With over a decade of experience in event execution and management, Clark now applies his creative background to craft immersive hospitality experiences for clients at Dish, ranging from daily corporate lunches to large-scale galas, conferences, and social events. Originally from Connecticut, Clark received a BFA from Elon University in NC before moving to NYC. Away from Dish, you can find Clark out for a walk with his dog, swimming laps, or exploring the city for new savory snacks.

Ashlyn Rothenberg

Event Director

Ashlyn plans weddings, corporate, and intimate social events at Dish. She thoughtfully guides clients through every decision throughout the event planning process and ultimately coordinates events onsite as well. Ashlyn has lived in Florida, Washington, DC, and Minnesota, but loves Brooklyn most of all. She loves to read, cook for friends and family, hike, fluff wedding dresses, and flip thrifted furniture. She lives in Bed-Stuy with her husband, Max.

Julianna Dorozynsky

Event Producer

A Pennsylvania native and Lafayette College graduate, Julianna has had a diverse career in the events industry, working as an event planner, captain, venue coordinator, sales specialist, and now as an event producer at Dish. Dish events take her all over New York City, from seeing her favorite artist perform while filling a food station in Queens, to picking out linens and china with an excited couple in Manhattan, or dreaming up new, creative ways to display small plates in Brooklyn. Having been to over 30 countries, Julianna loves to explore and experience new cultures and cuisines, but she is also content to just curl up on the couch with a warm bowl of pad thai.

Anahi St. Surin

Operations Coordinator

Anahi is a Brooklyn native foodie. She has always been captivated by the culinary and hospitality worlds, where every detail—from sourcing fresh ingredients to the ambiance—reflects her passion. Anahi thrives on the logistics behind operations, relishing the challenge of coordinating, managing, and optimizing workflows. Food is her sanctuary, where she finds joy in the hustle and bustle of creating memorable experiences. “I believe that food connects us all, and through it, the Dish team aims to create stories and experiences for others, ensuring each meal is a heartfelt masterpiece and each moment is a memorable one.”

Rodrigo Salazar

Sous Chef

Meet Rodrigo, our dedicated Sous Chef at Dish Food & Events! Originally from a small town in Mexico, Rodrigo brings both his passion and pride to the kitchen every day. He ensures that every dish meets his high standards before it reaches our clients. Rodrigo’s love for food shines through in every platter, and he’s equally committed to supporting his team. His authentic approach and attention to detail make him a beloved and essential part of the Dish family.