Meet the Team!

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. 

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.

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 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.

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.

James Fedorko is an Army veteran and recent graduate of the George Mason University film and video studies program. His diverse professional experiences make him a dynamic and active team member. He is always seeking to offer a helping hand in however he can best serve those around him. He enjoys movies, live music, and is a newly minted resident of New York City eager to find the best food of every imaginable genre.