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.

Tonuka Roman

Director of Human Resources

Tonuka is a Native New Yorker and seasoned hospitality professional with a diverse background spanning Operations, Finance, and Human Resources within the industry. Over the years, she has had the privilege of working alongside renowned celebrity chefs, including Anne Burrell, Leah Cohen, April Bloomfield, and Iron Chef Morimoto. Her true passion lies in the people of the industry. Tonuka is committed to cultivating workplace cultures that prioritize collaboration, creativity, and strong team dynamics. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the gym, shopping,restaurant hopping, scrap gardening and cooking at home in Lower Manhattan with her husband.

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.

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.

Julianna Dorozynsky

Event Director

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.

Alexa Trembone

Event Producer

Alexa is a New York City native and as an Event Producer with Dish, she’s committed to making clients’ visions a reality, no matter what it takes. With a background in food education and hands-on culinary work, she believes every great event starts with the integrity of food & beverage and comes to life through atmosphere and connection. From intimate dinners or a lively celebration, Alexa focuses on creating spaces that feel special, welcoming, and true to her clients.When she’s not producing events, you’ll find her trying new recipes, expanding her wine knowledge, or hosting dinner parties for family and friends, always with good food at the center.

Kinga Czerwinska

Director of Business Development

Kinga was born in Poland and moved to the UK as a teenager, spending 13 years there before settling in New York City over seven years ago. With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, she has worked with acclaimed brands including Kettner’s, D&D London, and Wythe Hotel. Kinga specializes in luxury events and exceptional client experiences, and is passionate about building strong relationships between clients, venues, and the Dish team. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring NYC’s food scene, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Charlie.

John Barsoian

Staffing Coordinator

Originally from New Hampshire, John spent years working with Dish as an integral part of the event staff before stepping into his current role leading the team. He’s passionate about creating exceptional event experiences and takes pride in bringing together team members who are thoughtful, energetic, and dedicated. John thrives on the fast pace and collaborative spirit of events, and he’s thrilled to now support the people who make them happen. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends, being outdoors, taking in the arts, and traveling—especially back to New Hampshire to visit family.

Louie Tan

Executive Sous Chef

Born and raised in the Philippines, Louie grew up with the belief that if you love to eat, you should learn how to make it. That passion led him to study Culinary Arts at the American Hospitality Academy Philippines and Florence University of the Arts. His love for diverse flavors brought him to New York, where he honed his craft at Pasquale Jones before serving as Executive Chef at Paul Evans Catering. As Executive Sous Chef at Dish Food & Events, he brings creativity and precision to every dish. Outside the kitchen, he enjoys time with his daughters, gaming, and practicing taekwondo.

Samara Wales

Pastry Chef

Samara grew up internationally between Los Angeles, Paris, Amsterdam, Bali and New York. Ever since she was young, she enjoyed being in the kitchen, where her mother taught her all the fundamentals. She started in NYC at Pure Food and Wine, Dovetail, the Wythe hotel and more recently Foreign Cinema and The Proper Hotel in San Francisco. She brings her creativity, international palette, and attention to detail to all her creations. She also enjoys collaborating with the savory cooks, creating harmony between the two departments. Outside of work, Samara enjoys watching horror films and hanging out with her cats, Babadook and Hamm Sandwich.