LEADERSHIP TEAM

LARRY DIPASQUALE, CHAIRMAN & CEO

Larry DiPasquale's vision for hospitality has successfully put a permanent mark on Denver, Colorado's history and landscape of special events. As Chairman and CEO of Epicurean Group, his inspiration has forged new directions for Epicurean Group with expansive concepts of restaurants, sports hospitality, theatre and fine arts.

Larry's career and understanding of hospitality began in a variety of service and culinary industry roles. In 1976 he joined the management team at Harrah's Five Diamond Hotel and Casino, where he operated a fine dining restaurant, 16 individual themed concept restaurants, and all showroom, catering, and bar facilities. He is a graduate of Harrah's prestigious management and culinary training programs sponsored by the Culinary Institute of America.

In addition to his impressive business and entrepreneurial pursuits, Larry, his wife, Jill, and partner, Sharon Magness Blake have always been devoted to charity, serving on the boards of many prestigious non-profit organizations. They and their Epicurean family are committed to "giving back" to the community. In 2005, Epicurean Compassion was formed to oversee and promote the company's charitable endeavors leading with the Larry R DiPasquale Foundation, an education trust created to financially support Hospitality and Culinary students.

Larry, Jill and their two children enjoy all that Colorado has to offer including the beautiful outdoors, competitive sports teams and Colorado's cutting edge culinary scene.


DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN FOOD SERVICE ENTREPENEURSHIP HONORIS CAUSA
Johnson & Wales University

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE 2014
Visit Denver - Conventions

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2013
ICON Events Foundation

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2009
Colorado Meetings & Events Hall of Fame

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE 2009
Colorado Restaurant Association

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Denver Business Journal

ITALIAN BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR 2008
Andiamo, The Primo Award of Excellence

MAN FOR THE CURE AWARD 2008
Men for the Cure Foundation

CATERING OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE YEAR 2001 (presented by Julia Childs)
Crystal Pineapple Award

WEDNESDAY'S CHILD AWARD
The Adoption Exchange

SMALL BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR 1993 Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

GREG KARL, PRESIDENT & COO

GKARL@EPICUREANGROUPCO.COM

After a stint as a Market Maker at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, Greg decided to make a move to a life long passion and joined a small catering company in his hometown of Chicago, Il. Helping to grow this small business from $1 million to $10 million in annual sales; he found his love of small business management and operations. Upon moving to Denver with his wife Michelle, Greg was hired by Epicurean Catering where he ran many of the large, logistically challenging events as well as opening both the Epicurean-Vail Valley and Sports Authority Field at Mile High (formerly Invesco Field) contracts for Epicurean. Now President & COO of Epicurean Group, he oversees the strategic planning and daily management of the company.

Greg is a National Director of The International Caterers Association as well as a member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and the Denver Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" Business Leaders.

PAUL G. AYLMER, ESQ., GENERAL COUNSEL & CFO

PAUL@EPICUREANGROUPCO.COM

Paul handles all Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Staffing, IT and Legal (employment, labor, contracts, corporate) issues. He also oversees day-to-day operations and the development of new company policies & procedures. As well as practicing law, Paul has worked in the restaurant, catering and food service industry for nearly 30 years, including his days as a chef while in college, which explains his passion for food and the industry. Paul is a licensed attorney in both Colorado and California.

Paul is an active member of the community and is involved in many charities. He is on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Restaurant Association, the Colorado Caterers Association, the Education Foundation CRA and the State-appointed Interagency Task Force on Drunk Driving.

WESLEY GUZMAN, VICE PRESIDENT

WGUZMAN@EPICUREANGROUPCO.COM

Since coming to Epicurean in 2004, Wesley has become one of Denver's top models for both event design and customer service. He works closely with our culinary team to create cutting edge cuisine that is second only to the design flair he brings to an event - the parties he designs are better named soirees and galas than events!

Laura Hylton, Director of Sales & Business Development

Laura joins the Epicurean team and brings with her fourteen years experience in the Colorado catering industry, holding past positions of Director of Sales and advancing to General Manager. Laura realizes that her true passion is connecting people with their vision in order to create a memorable event that elevates their special moment. Laura firmly believes that relationships are key in building trust and creating a brand that speaks to positive experiences. She uses strategic sourcing which enables her to produce a phenomenal event in order for the client to focus on their goals. As the loyalty deepens, so does the passion, creativity and service. She gives each client a reason to return.

Laura loves living in Colorado and believes that Colorado is at the forefront in the event industry. The vibrance of the people, the passion for the outdoors, the importance of movement in thought and action and of course, those mountains all contribute to a lifestyle of inspiration that cannot be beat.

KELCEY FLEAGLE, Marketing Manager

Kelcey returned to Epicurean in 2017 as the Marketing Manager. First joining the Epicurean team in 2014 as a recipe coordinator and back of house event staff, she is excited to return to the team!

Kelcey’s passion for both the food and marketing industries began early on, leading her to seek a career in both. She pursued and earned three degrees: one in Baking & Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte, NC campus); a French Pastry concentration from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie in Yssingeaux, France; and a Business Degree from Johnson & Wales University (Denver, CO campus). She has worked in varying marketing roles throughout the Denver area, including launching her own successful marketing and branding company in 2013. Outside of work, Kelcey enjoys advocating for foster children, volunteering with Cooking Matters and The Children’s Hospital, and spending time with her turtles – Myrt & Burt the Turts.

Christina DiPasquale, Director of Human Resources

Christina DiPasquale is a Colorado native, and attended the University of Colorado Boulder for her undergraduate work in psychology. Since then, Christina has completed her Master’s degree in Management with a specialty in Human Resource Management. Although she grew up in Epicurean, Christina is thrilled to be a part of the Epicurean team in a more formal capacity. Outside of work, Christina enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs and birds.

Kevin Covelo , Human Resources

Kevin is a Colorado native and completed his undergraduate at the University of Denver with degrees in Theater, Marketing, and Communications. He began working with Epicurean in 2014 as a service staff member and grew to love the Hospitality industry. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music, going to concerts, and snowboarding.

Duffey Yeatman , Director of Hospitality

Duffy began in the industry at age 13 at Lukhard’s Finer Foods and started Catering along Plantation Row outside of Richmond Virginia. He has worked in Catering Industry for 20 years. Duffey honed his Fine Dining Service skills working at Gurneys Inn in Montauk Long Island. He is passionate about details and 5 star service and believes in the magic of custom catering and bringing clients vision to life. He moved to Colorado and joined Three Tomatoes where he served as Director of Service and Operations for many years. He continues to love the Denver catering community and the wonderful people who bring events to life. On his down time he enjoys hiking, collecting art and spending time with family.

Jeff Stutzman , Accounting

After moving to Colorado from the East Coast in 2013, Jeff began working with Epicurean’s accounting department in April 2013. Being part of a successful team and having the opportunity to see growth and potential is something Jeff enjoys. He is looking forward to working more with the staff at Epicurean and promoting its core values and culture. In his spare time, he enjoys riding bikes in the summer and skiing in the winter.

ROBERT GITRE, Project Manager & Epicurean Cares Ambassador

RGITRE@EPICUREANGROUPCO.COM

Chef Bob brings culinary talent, enthusiasm, and national and international flair to our kitchens. Chef Bob started down the culinary path at the age of 14, while working in his family bakery. With a degree in Culinary Arts from the Providence campus of Johnson and Wales University, Chef Bob worked in restaurants from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Naples, Florida. He then headed West where he worked in various 4-star, 4-diamond hotels in Palm Springs, CA. During this experience, Chef was able to study under various French and International Chefs. Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck recognized outstanding young talent and hired Bob to work in the kitchen of Spago. Chef Bob worked with Wolfgang Puck for seven years and was key in the opening of three additional locations including Spago Chicago and creating Wolfgang Puck’s catering and special events division. Chef Bob now oversees all of Epicurean’s culinary operations.

JENNA JOHANSEN, INNOVATION CHEF

JJOHANSEN@EPICUREANGROUPCO.COM

Jenna Johansen joined Epicurean Catering in 2013 as Innovation Chef. She works closely with the culinary and event design teams to develop new, creative concepts and refresh the presentation of many of the tried and true dishes. She brings a fresh perspective and the attitude that you can offer restaurant quality food in any venue. Her passion for food and 23 years of culinary experience lend their own special ingredients to the Epicurean experience.

Jenna is well known in the food industry locally and nationally with her participation in some of the premier food events in town, including the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, the James Beard House, the Snowmass Culinary Arts Festival and the Frisco BBQ Challenge. She has been a judge at numerous cooking competitions and donates an extraordinary amount of time and energy to local charities. She was the owner of Dish! located in Denver and Vail and you might also recognize her as one of 12 professional chefs who appeared on the Bravo's global culinary competition, Around the World in 80 Plates.

Since the age of 14, Johansen has been passionate about pursuing her dream of becoming a chef. She pursued and earned two separate degrees, one in Restaurant and Resort Management from Colorado State University and a Culinary Degree from Johnson & Wales University.

COLLEEN LAGOMARSINO

CLAGOMARSINO@EPICUREANGROUPCO.COM

Colleen Lagomarsino has been a part of the Epicurean team since the early days, though it is her role as Assistant to Larry DiPasquale, a position she took on in 1998, that keeps the operation running smoothly.

Hailing from Minnesota, Lagomarsino moved to Colorado in 1976 after working at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She met her husband Pete while working at the Keystone Ski Resort and soon welcomed two sons. Family obligations necessitated relocation to California, but after 10 years of moving through the central valley of California with ARAMARK, the Lagomarsino family jumped at the opportunity to return to Colorado. Since that time, Colleen has been an integral part of Epicurean and spends her free time doting on her grandchildren.