martha link, corporate catering manager
Harry Caray's Restaurant Group
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Martha began her career in the hospitality industry right here at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, River North, nearly 25 years ago. What began as a part-time position as a hostess at the restaurant while she completed her Master’s Degree, became her full-time home for many years to come. Martha began as a restaurant manager and then moved in to the Catering Sales Department; and has not looked back. One of Martha’s very first event in the River North office was coordinating Harry’s funeral for over 500 guests. After a couple of years, Martha had the opportunity to move to Las Vegas as a Catering Sales Representative at the brand new Convention Center of the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino. Martha loved her time in Las Vegas, but missed family and friends back in Chicago. he jumped at the opportunity to come back to Chicago and work, once again, for Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group as the Director of Catering for the new off-premise division, Harry Caray’s Catering & Events.
In 2008 Martha had the opportunity to open a new $500 million venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN as Director of Sales & Catering for the new venue, After nearly three years of working on casino events, corporate outings and A-List entertainment, Martha took a break from the restaurant and hotel sector and took a job with Regus, as an Area Sales Manager for the shared office provider. Finally, after over five years in the corporate world, in early 2016 after missing her role in catering sales and operations, Martha had the opportunity to return to event planning with Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group for a third time as Corporate Catering Manager for the company. She loves being able to work on events; as well as oversee the company’s five locations and their teams. She loves being able to coach the teams through her many years of experience at several areas of the hospitality industry; along with her love for Harry Caray’s and its product. In her spare time, Martha enjoys spending time with her family, including her two children Mary and John. She also enjoys dining, shopping, and traveling. She is an avid sports fan, especially football and baseball, following her favorite teams – the Cubbies and the Michigan Wolverines. |
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rebecca peters, catering sales manager
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, River North
Harry Caray's Catering & Events
Harry Caray's Tavern, Navy Pier
Harry Caray's Catering & Events
Harry Caray's Tavern, Navy Pier
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Rebecca has been working in the hospitality industry for 12 years, beginning in her hometown of Johnsburg, IL and following her passion to Chicago to attend Robert Morris University. There she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management with an Associate’s in Culinary Arts. During school and after graduation, Rebecca dabbled in different aspects of the industry before finally landing in catering, which had been her goal all along. She started at the Peninsula Hotel, where she honed her guest service skills and trained in the catering department, helping to plan everything from small meetings to three-day conferences.
Rebecca joined the Harry Caray’s catering team in February of 2017. She plans and executes events at the River North Steakhouse, the Tavern at Navy Pier and at many off-premise venues throughout the city. With her experience, optimism, and keen eye for detail, Rebecca truly enjoys assisting her guests through each step in planning the perfect event for their needs. In her spare time, Rebecca likes to cheer on the Bears (a fruitless endeavor, she knows), cook up new recipes at home, and travel as much as possible. |
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veronica velez, senior catering manager
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Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch, Mag Mile
Chicago Sports Museum Veronica, born and raised in Chicago, is a twenty year veteran of the catering and meeting/event planning industry. She began her career as a meeting planner in the pharmaceutical industry. She then became a meeting planner for the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, executing several large conventions for up to 500 delegates. Veronica always was drawn to the creative aspect of planning meetings/events, especially menu planning, presentation and décor. This drew her to the hospitality side of the business, starting over from the ground up at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, as a Catering Assistant, then Coordinator. Veronica later moved on to handle the Wedding Market at the Wyndham Hotel, and then spent some time as a freelance planner and consultant.
After experiencing many sides of the event business, Veronica wanted to find a permanent "home" where she could make a lasting impact. She joined Harry Caray's Restaurant Group in July of 2014, starting at our flagship River North steakhouse and then moved onto our newest venue at the Chicago Sports Museum and Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch. Veronica was able to bring her past experience to build systems for operations and develop a strong sales team. She still enjoys bringing new elements of surprise into food presentation and event décor with her DIY skills. On her spare time she enjoys following the Cubbies, home décor/design, thrifting for vintage finds, tennis, and long walks with her new pug-puppy Eloise. |
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samson victor, catering manager
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Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch, Mag Mile
Chicago Sports Museum Samson was born and raised in Palatine, Illinois. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Western Illinois University in 2000. Following graduation, Samson went on to learn the hospitality industry by working in various roles within restaurants, in the Chicagoland area. While with Levy Restaurants, Samson learned how to execute large events with menu planning, staffing, and ordering. He went on to become a full time Private Event Sales Manager with The Clubhouse, in Oak Brook, IL, managing private events for large clients such as McDonald's, Verizon Wireless, & Coca-Cola.
After several years of excelling in his role at The Clubhouse, Samson found the opportunity for his dream job. As a die-hard Chicago sports fan, the chance to work with Harry Caray's and The Chicago Sports Museum was a match made in heaven. Samson combines his vast experience in booking private events, and extensive knowledge of Chicago sports, as the perfect combination in assisting clients throughout the entire event planning process. During his spare time Samson enjoys playing sports, making people laugh, exploring the Chicago dining scene, and watching the Cubbies. |
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beth jostes, senior catering sales manager
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Lombard
Beth brings over 25 years of catering and restaurant experience to Harry Caray’s. She began her career working in the events office of a private country club in her hometown – Chicago Heights, IL. From then on, she developed a passion for events and explored it further by working all areas of the catering & events industry.
Early on, she was a Catering Manager for the Wyndham Drake Hotel, then moving to Restaurant & Catering Sales Manager for an upscale classic-American restaurant. She then became a Sales Manager and Banquets Manager for two high volume Chicago downtown hotels: the Doubletree Magnificent Mile and Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro, respectively. In these various roles, Beth has mastered the art of selling, detailing, and executing various events. While building her experience and developing a vast array of clientele, she took on an exciting role as Director of Banquets & Catering at a hotel and conference center closer to home. In this position, she redesigned the entire sales & banquets department to provide structure to the team and implement proven strategies to bring in new clients.
Finally after quite a few years of overseeing banquets & catering, she missed working directly with clients to plan their event from start to finish. Beth had an opportunity to join the team at Harry Caray’s in 2015 becoming Senior Catering Sales Manager. This allowed her to be the first person clients meet when they come in for a site tour, to organizing all details, and finally overseeing the event’s full execution alongside her fantastic banquets team.
In her spare time, Beth enjoys road trips to MI with her two grown kids or an outing with her close group of friends. She also enjoys playing with her two pups, Toby & Layla outside on the patio. And she certainly won’t forget to cheer on the Cubbies every year!
Early on, she was a Catering Manager for the Wyndham Drake Hotel, then moving to Restaurant & Catering Sales Manager for an upscale classic-American restaurant. She then became a Sales Manager and Banquets Manager for two high volume Chicago downtown hotels: the Doubletree Magnificent Mile and Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro, respectively. In these various roles, Beth has mastered the art of selling, detailing, and executing various events. While building her experience and developing a vast array of clientele, she took on an exciting role as Director of Banquets & Catering at a hotel and conference center closer to home. In this position, she redesigned the entire sales & banquets department to provide structure to the team and implement proven strategies to bring in new clients.
Finally after quite a few years of overseeing banquets & catering, she missed working directly with clients to plan their event from start to finish. Beth had an opportunity to join the team at Harry Caray’s in 2015 becoming Senior Catering Sales Manager. This allowed her to be the first person clients meet when they come in for a site tour, to organizing all details, and finally overseeing the event’s full execution alongside her fantastic banquets team.
In her spare time, Beth enjoys road trips to MI with her two grown kids or an outing with her close group of friends. She also enjoys playing with her two pups, Toby & Layla outside on the patio. And she certainly won’t forget to cheer on the Cubbies every year!
sheila balducci, catering sales manager
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Rosemont
Sheila began her hospitality career while attending Illinois State University. She took a job as a cocktail server over summer break and was able to continue with it on weekends and breaks in the school year. When she moved back to Chicago she stayed in the business and quickly realized the restaurant industry was where her real passion lived.
She honed her skills as a server, bartender and host in many restaurants throughout the Chicago area and eventually landed at Morton’s Steakhouse Rosemont, where she started as a bartender. During her ten years with that company she gradually worked her way up to General Manager and was transferred to a recently opened location out of state. During her time as GM she helped double the sales of the location and won the Team Excellence award for lowest turnover in the company as well as helping to develop current team members into managers.
An opportunity to try out a new field arose in Illinois and she jumped at the chance to move back home and develop some new skills and work with a group of close friends in the fitness industry. Though she enjoyed her time in her new career the restaurant business was in her blood and she knew it was time to go back to her first love.
Having worked in Rosemont in the past she had come to love the community and was thrilled when she was offered a position with another great steakhouse in the area, Harry Caray’s Rosemont. Starting out as a floor manager she quickly discovered what a great fit this was. After a few years she was curious about new opportunities within the company and when the position of Catering Sales Manager became available she jumped at it. It’s now been thirteen years with the company and she brings the same passion to each event as she did in the beginning.
The skills she developed throughout her career allow her to see catering from all angels and be able to really help the client personalize an event and make their wishes a reality. It’s the personal interaction and immediate gratification of working with a wowed guest that keep her coming back for more.
During the cold months outside of work she loves spending time cooking and entertaining at home. She is a huge football fan and is active in many fantasy football leagues. She also loves boating and can be found out on the water most weekends when it’s warm. Luckily her husband and two dogs share that passion and are willing to spend as much time on the water as they all can.
She honed her skills as a server, bartender and host in many restaurants throughout the Chicago area and eventually landed at Morton’s Steakhouse Rosemont, where she started as a bartender. During her ten years with that company she gradually worked her way up to General Manager and was transferred to a recently opened location out of state. During her time as GM she helped double the sales of the location and won the Team Excellence award for lowest turnover in the company as well as helping to develop current team members into managers.
An opportunity to try out a new field arose in Illinois and she jumped at the chance to move back home and develop some new skills and work with a group of close friends in the fitness industry. Though she enjoyed her time in her new career the restaurant business was in her blood and she knew it was time to go back to her first love.
Having worked in Rosemont in the past she had come to love the community and was thrilled when she was offered a position with another great steakhouse in the area, Harry Caray’s Rosemont. Starting out as a floor manager she quickly discovered what a great fit this was. After a few years she was curious about new opportunities within the company and when the position of Catering Sales Manager became available she jumped at it. It’s now been thirteen years with the company and she brings the same passion to each event as she did in the beginning.
The skills she developed throughout her career allow her to see catering from all angels and be able to really help the client personalize an event and make their wishes a reality. It’s the personal interaction and immediate gratification of working with a wowed guest that keep her coming back for more.
During the cold months outside of work she loves spending time cooking and entertaining at home. She is a huge football fan and is active in many fantasy football leagues. She also loves boating and can be found out on the water most weekends when it’s warm. Luckily her husband and two dogs share that passion and are willing to spend as much time on the water as they all can.