Bill Hansen Catering

Meet & Greet

Laura Garcia, Office Manager
Laura joined the Bill Hansen Catering team in June 2008. After graduating from High School in the Dominican Republic in 2003 she moved to West Palm Beach Florida where she attended Palm Beach Community College and earned her Associates Degree in Communications Studies. After receiving her Associates Degree, Laura transferred to Florida International University to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, with a track in Public Relations, and a Minor in Hospitality.

Like many students, Laura worked while attending her classes. She enjoyed the flexibility of working in banquet and event planning departments at golf resorts and hotels. In fact this is how she was introduced to the catering industry.

After working in the industry for a couple of years and to fulfill her degree curriculum at FIU, she was required to take a Catering Management Class, which was taught by none other than Bill Hansen.

Bill, always keeping an eye out for exemplary students, saw potential in Laura right away. It helped that she was a hard worker, and like a good portion of the Bill Hansen Catering staff, she also aced his class.

Please be sure to say hi to Laura, when you call the office, and know that she will be happy to help you anyway she can, even translating for or speaking with your Spanish speaking clientele. Kevin Shore, Palm Beach Marketing and Sales Consultant
Kevin Shore has been a part of the hotel and event planning industry since 1991. He began working in the hotel industry and was part of the opening team of both the Ritz Carlton Manalapan and the Four Seasons New York. After two years in New York, Kevin returned to South Florida and began working for many of the Destination Management Companies from Miami to Palm Beach. While home, Kevin introduced a new concept to the meeting planning community in South Florida. Expanding on a family location for print photography business, Kevin started using the same private houses and estates for corporate dinners and events. During that time, Kevin met with meeting planning companies and started traveling both domestically and internationally assisting with the day to day logistics in operating programs from 50 participants to 5000 participants. Kevin is excited to partner with Bill Hansen's Catering and help expand the already strong brand into Palm Beach County.

Kevin has been married since 2005. His wife's name is Randi and their beautiful new baby boy Foster was born October 24, 2008. Lev Shnaidman, Director of Operations
In 2000, Lev moved to Miami from Israel to play soccer and study Hospitality Management at Florida International University (FIU), where he met Bill Hansen.

An injury, at the end of 2001, left Lev unable to continue playing soccer, so he turned his focus from sports to catering, which is his background since 1995.

After getting to know Bill (and acing his class), Lev started to work for Bill Hansen Catering in May of 2001.

When he graduated from FIU in December 2003, Bill promoted him to Director of Operations.

Lev's years of event management experience in Israel are apparent at every event he works. He has an amazing ability to know exactly where to place furniture and tables to transform a room or courtyard. He even makes a simple buffet table look elegant with simple touches.

During the summer down time, Lev likes to travel to Israel to visit his parents and friends. He has one brother who lives in North Carolina.

Be sure to say hi to Lev at your next Bill Hansen Catering event.

Ken Wilbanks, Executive Chef
With more than 20 years in the food service industry, Executive Chef Ken Wilbanks has a creative, "keep it simple" attitude with fabulous results.

Having been born and raised in Miami, Chef Ken has the advantage of knowing the culture first hand. That, along with his experience in food service distribution sales, gives him the insight to both sides of the industry, inside and outside the kitchen.

Married in 1994, Ken uses his creativity to entertain his wife and three small children.

His Philosophy of food: KEEP IT SIMPLE! Ken says, "I limit the number of ingredients in recipes. The dish needs to be easily identified with a taste that is clean and fresh. By limiting the number of ingredients, I can easily recreate my recipes and make them look good enough to eat. "

Ken loves creating new and exciting menus. Put Ken to the test, contact us today for your next event.

Paul Dombrowski, Manager/Chef Loggerhead Café
Paul comes to us from Buffalo, New York, (actually Lancaster but everyone has heard of Buffalo).

He has worked in the catering industry for 6 years and found he has a passion for parties. Helping people create the perfect menu for their theme party, and making sure that party is best they have ever attended.

He started his career in private country clubs and restaurants. He decided he wanted to have a future in catering, so he attended The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institute in Fort Lauderdale, where he graduated in June 2008.

Before graduating he started looking for a job that he could really pour his heart into. Sent his resume to Bill had a casual interview and found his home at Loggerhead Cafe.

He enjoys the diversity and atmosphere on the beach. He get to be a jack of all trades - chef, manager, server, menu creator, etc. There is never a dull moment.

Paul says his favorite part of working on the beach, besides being outside and enjoying the sun and fresh air, is he that gets to meet people from all over the world and spend a few minutes learning about where they came from and why they are here.

So when you get a chance, come on by the cafe, try a dish from the new menu and say hi. Paul would love to meet you.

Janet McDonald, Miami-Dade Marketing and Sales Consultant
Now entering my seventh season, I have enjoyed introducing hundreds of you to the "Wonderful World of Bill Hansen Catering." Every wedding and event is special and challenging. My satisfaction comes from helping each of you realize the full value of your special occasion---and from working with our outstanding culinary, operations, and service staff who receive "rave" reviews every single time. Market development and sales have increased significantly with new initiatives and careful attention to each client.

Bill Hansen says that "Janet is from wherever the client is from.." And I guess that's true. Born in Texas, raised in Indiana, educated at Tulane, began a career in Chicago (Playboy Magazine, shhhh), married in Indianapolis, raised a family in New Jersey and off to Europe for more exciting adventures.

I've worked in public relations, marketing and communications training for more than 30 years. Serving people has been at the heart of my career.

It all came full circle when Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels held his Super Bowl reception at Villa Woodbine. Mitch and I began working together in the 70's on Senator Richard Lugar's first campaign.

Highlights of my career have included: managing a Symphony Orchestra in Westfield, NJ; Communications Training for Fortune 500 executives in The Netherlands, and producing the Miami International Orchid Show.

Watch out! After so many experiences and in particular those with Bill Hansen Catering, I just may write a book.

Shaneil Sibblies, Catering Director
While attending The School of Hospitality Management at FIU, Shaneil attended Bill Hansen's Catering Management class where Bill says he was immediately drawn to her infectious smile. For the past year and a half she has been using that smile to comfort and assist hundreds of clients.

As a member of the Bill Hansen Catering team, Shaneil meets prospective clients, assists in planning their menus and event details, and then oversees the events.

"Our clients have so much riding on their events, it's important for them to know we're here for them and we are going to do an amazing job!" says Shaneil.

She truly enjoys working with each and every client and finds her job fun and extremely satisfying. Be sure to say hi to her when you call the Miami office.

Lori Patterson, Broward Marketing and Sales Consultant
Lori comes to us from Winter Park Florida, with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing and Management. She met the Bill Hansen Catering team while she was planning weddings as one of the world’s 23 Accredited Bridal Consultants, an achievement earned through hard work and dedication to the field from the Association of Bridal Consultants. With 7 years experience of working hand in hand with brides helping them create the wedding of their dreams, Lori got to compare the “back to front of the house” service that was offered by many off-site caterers and venues. Impressed by the consistency of the staff, service and quality of food at Bill Hansen Catering, coupled with the team work attitude, Lori always said that if she were to focus on catering as a new career, it would be with this exemplary company.

In September of 2005, after the conclusion of an event operations meeting, Bill, Lori and Janet had a discussion of catering sales in Broward County Florida, and a new relationship was born. With Lori’s background in marketing and management, she now utilizes her expertise as Bill’s Broward County Marketing and Sales Consultant, enjoying the event diversity and exercising her abilities obtained while receiving her degree in marketing.

Lori spends her time off traveling, going to plays and cooking with her husband Mark and taking their two Basenjis, Kindu and Jet, to the park. She also enjoys giving back to the community through her involvement with the Junior League and the Making Memories, Breast Cancer Foundation.

Lori would be glad to assist you with any of your Broward County event needs – with her knowledge of the area and database of venues, she is sure to help you create a successful event for you and your guests.