MARY GIULIANI
Owner/Founder, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Author, party/lifestyle expert and founder and CEO of MGCE, Mary’s “simple yet special” approach to entertaining has earned her the well-deserved moniker, “Caterer To The Stars” for the past 15+ years.
From the very inception of the company in 2005, Mary has created parties for the crème de la crème of the art, fashion and entertainment sets. Her clients look to her and her team to break traditional entertaining norms and instead bring to life party ideas that are one-of-a-kind, outside-the box, playful experiences for host and guests alike. Quick to remind all that she is neither a chef nor a humorless foodie, Mary draws her inspiration for entertaining, cuisine and hospitality from her namesake grandmothers, each very different personalities but both pivotal in Mary's life and the development of her signature style.
In addition to founding MGCE, Mary has appeared on Billions, The Barefoot Contessa, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Hallmark Home & Family and is a featured regular on The Rachael Ray Show; Mary’s column “Eat, Drink & Be Mary” also appears in Rachael Ray In Season magazine. She is the author of "The Cocktail Party: Eat, Drink, Play, Recover" and "Tiny Hot Dogs: A Memoir in Small Bites.”
Mary graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English/Theater and spent a year in Florence, Italy studying Italian food, wine and culture. She often jokes that she graduated the prestigious university “magna cum party.”
It’s Mary’s lighthearted ability to not only laugh at herself but also surprise, charm and delight even the most jaded of party guests, endearing her to an ever-expanding clientele which includes not only television viewers and social media followers, but a new audience of frozen food customers. Mary’s first deluxe frozen food assortment, “The Cocktail Party Classic Collection” under her new “Love, Mary” brand, debuted during Holiday 2020 season on Macys.com, quickly selling out, with new collections soon to come in 2021.
Mary resides in New York's Chelsea neighborhood and Woodstock, New York with her husband Ryan and their daughter Gala.
MGCE Founders & Owners
RYAN GIULIANI
Owner, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
In 2005 Ryan Giuliani with his wife Mary founded Mary Giuliani Catering & Events. A gifted creative producer, Ryan began his career in photography production working with some of the most prominent names in photography including Steven Meisel and Michael Thompson. Ryan spearheaded the production of one of Richard Avedons final projects for The New Yorker magazine in 1999. From 1999-2005 Ryan shifted gears to pursue a career in commercial real estate, working for Olmstead Properties where he was responsible for leasing over 500,000 square feet of Manhattan commercial real estate. It was this diverse background that helped him lay the successful foundation and infrastructure for MGCE. Under his leadership, he helped grow MGCE into one of the finest and most respected catering and event companies in New York City.
In 2014 Ryan's passion and desire for growth and development of the Hudson Valley region, led him to the purchase and development of a hotel property and restaurant in the center of the historic town of Woodstock, New York. He remains actively involved in both the preservation and growth of the Hudson Valley region. He resides in New York's Chelsea area and in Woodstock, New York with Mary.
MICHELE POKOWICZ
President/Partner, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
As a President/Partner of Mary Giuliani Catering & Events, Michele Pokowicz uniquely pairs her keen sense of taste, design and culture with an ability to deliver seamless event production and customized catered experiences. Presiding and managing over 600 events a year with the MGCE team, she is a very well respected industry veteran. From producing large-scale corporate events for Travel + Leisure, Bon Appetit, Commerzbank Nissan North America, and Vogue Magazine; to creating intimate dinners for clients, family and friends, her dedication to preparedness never leaves a detail unattended and her clients always know the event will go as planned. Michele was named 2012 Bizbash Caterer of the Year.
RYAN BROWN
Senior Vice President/Partner, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Ryan Brown was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where he was always a fan of entertaining and the great outdoors. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Business Administration, Ryan worked in the financial industry before deciding to shake things up and move to New York City, where he met and married his amazing husband Joseph.
Outside of work, Ryan can be found playing with his son Aaden, traveling the globe exploring culinary arts, playing the violin, snow skiing and scuba diving. Ryan’s love to entertain landed him the position with Mary Giuliani in 2006 where his attention to detail, strong organizational skills and solution oriented mind set makes him perfect for event planning and hospitality.
MGCE Team
Chef Solomon Flatow
Executive Chef, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
As Executive Chef at Mary Giuliani Catering and Events, Solomon is looking to bring his years of experience in catering to create one-of-a-kind experiences at one of the most recognized brands in the event industry. Growing up in Brooklyn, Solomon knew from a young age that he wanted to be a chef and often sat on his family’s kitchen counter to watch his mother cook. With a large extended Jewish family, there was always something to celebrate, and food was always the focus.
After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education, he cut his teeth in the NYC restaurant scene, but ultimately found his passion in catering, where he finds it a more intimate, personal experience in customizing menus and events that celebrate the clients’ vision.
Some of his early experiences in catering were with Marc Murphy’s Benchmarc Events and Sonnier and Castle. At Charlie Palmer Group, Solomon was the Executive Chef of Upper Story- an event space and café in the Decoration and Design Building, as well as Crimson & Rye, a craft cocktail bar.
Prior to joining MGCE, Solomon was the Executive Catering Chef at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he worked for Bill Telepan. At the Met, he executed some of the most high-profile events, including the reopening of the British Galleries Dinner, The Real Estate Council Benefit, and the White House Historical Association Gala.
Solomon currently resides in Park Slope and outside of the kitchen, he can be found at Prospect Park, local dive bars, and playing the role of doting uncle to his nieces and nephews. He is also an avid Star Wars fan, enjoys EDM and alternative music, and collects novelty socks.
CHRISTOPHER SLOAN
Director of Production, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Having worked in the catering and hospitality industry for over 15 years, Christopher brings a wide range of experience to the MGCE team. Originally from Indiana, he graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Throughout his tenure in New York City, Christopher has been involved in coordinating events ranging from grand, corporate sit-down dinners to small, intimate gatherings.
Christopher has produced events for New York Magazine, Stella McCartney, HBO, Diane Von Furstenburg, J.crew, New York Times, Nordstrom, Snapchat, Douglas Elliman, Bon Appetit and Infiniti.
Sarah Rudkin
Senior Event Producer, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Athena Sova
Senior Event Producer, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Athena Sova is originally from Detroit, MI. She moved to NYC and attended The Fashion Institute of Technology with a concentration in Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design. She focused her career in events where she eventually found herself planning and designing all types of events from small to large events like The Knot Gala, Cartier’s Carat Club, and Moet Hennessy’s 250th anniversary.
Athena enjoys trying new food and visiting new countries. When she’s not traveling, she loves spending time with her friends, family, and scottie, Miss Pep.
Maggie Welsh
Staffing Manager & Jr Event Producer, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Maggie graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in Cinema and Media Studies as well as two national championships for women’s lacrosse. Upon graduating, she has gained several years of experience in television, business development, and marketing. Her previous roles as a production assistant and marketing coordinator at HBO have readily prepared her for the dynamic, fast paced world of catering and events. As a detailed planner and creative thinker, Maggie helps to keep our staff organized and prepared for all events.
Maggie grew up in Rye, NY but now resides in the West Village of New York City. She can often be found wandering the city to explore new neighborhoods, eat out, take pictures, and just simply get lost.
EMILY RACANIELLO
Creative Coordinator, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Emily Racaniello’s years of experience in television, advertising, event design and catering, has all shaped her career to bring something new to the table in her creative role at MGCE. From years of living both on Long Island and in Brooklyn, her love of food and entertaining has shaped not only her years as a producer, but also her personal life. Trying new foods and restaurants in NYC and while traveling the world, has been a fun passion for her for many years. She even eloped in Italy so her and her husband could have a honeymoon tasting their way through Southern to Northern Italy. Emily began her career at the “Rachael Ray” Show as both the Researcher and on Producing Teams, which began her love for combining food with creativity. Later in her career, she developed her drive for experiential event design and catering at both Tinsel Experiential Design and Pinch Food Design, and now has been producing and designing for events both large and small.
Emily has produced and designed events for Spotify, Etsy, 72andSunny, IPSoft, the New York Times, Pratt Institute, Levi’s, Public Prep, Google, Sequin Productions, Weddings and other Social Events.
CARRI FARRAND
Special Projects Manager, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
Carri brings over 20 years of events production experience to the table, spanning both the corporate and non-profit worlds. With experience as the vendor, venue and client, she brings a unique and diversified perspective to event production. She has been so lucky to have had the opportunity to work in amazing locations around the globe, having produced events throughout North America, South America and Europe. Her expertise includes award-winning investment conferences, high-end VIP dinners, luxury destination trips, incentive programs, and teambuilding. Prior to joining MGCE, Carri began her own boutique event consulting business, A Closer Look Events, along with full-time event management positions with Commerzbank AG, the New York Stock Exchange, Dress for Success Worldwide, and Match Catering and Eventstyles, all in New York City. Her events career began in Washington DC, managing events for a number of organizations from Planned Parenthood and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence to PGI/TBA Global Destination Services.
Christopher Cadenelli
Finance Manager, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
As Finance Manager, Chris Cadenelli oversees bookkeeping and accounting operations for MGCE. Raised in the not-so-mean streets of suburban NJ, Chris graduated with a degree in business administration from The College of New Jersey before making the move to NYC. When not working, Chris enjoys spending time at home with his girlfriend and 2 cats in their Ridgewood, Queens apartment.