Our Team

Sebastien Centner is the Creative Director of Eatertainment Hospitality & Eatertainment Special Events & Catering. Sebastien launched Eatertainment Special Events & Catering, which has grown to be one of Canada’s top event planning and catering companies and was awarded ‘Best Caterer in Canada’ by the Canadian Event Industry Association.

Currently Eatertainment hosts over 1,000 events each year in Canada and the US. Sebastien has spearheaded and seamlessly executed hundreds of events for high-profile clients including Red Bull, TIFF, Hugo Boss, BMW and Porsche. Sebastien has also had the privilege of hosting events for such public figures as Martha Stewart, President Bill Clinton and Brad Pitt, to name a few. Sebastien is also the founder of Jeckl Agency – an extension of Eatertainment that hosts events around the globe. Whether planning a fairytale million $ plus wedding (complete with 6 week structure build overlooking the lake), launching the new BMW M3 & M4 with a 10 week program including laps of the formula 1 track in Istanbul, hosting a corporate retreat complete with cage-diving with great whites in South Africa, or travelling with friends to Art Basel in Miami or Art Friese in New York, Sebastien has seen it all and managed every aspect of the logistics to pull of the most complex of events anywhere in the world.

Recognized as an ‘Entertaining Expert’ and media personality, Sebastien’s concepts, recipes and lavish events have been featured in Hello! Magazine, EnRoute, Style at Home, Toronto Fashion, The National Post, The Globe & Mail, Toronto Sun, House & Home, among others. He currently is a contributing editor to Homefront Magazine. Additionally, Sebastien appears regularly on The Marilyn Denis Show sharing his entertaining tips & tricks and has also been seen on The Morning Show, ET Canada and Canada AM.

Sheila Centner is the Vice President of Creative for Eatertainment and its related companies, spearheading the drive to keep our brands and content at the forefront of creating new and exciting trends in dining, culinary and entertaining. Sheila’s role with Eatertainment has always been to push forward new initiatives that make their way into our award winning events.⁣
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In addition Sheila shares the spotlight with Sebastien with their work on tv, on-line, in-print and through their various social media channels as they share their tips, tricks and recipes around entertaining. Most recently Sheila took on the role of Executive Producer of our newest brand ‘Seb & Sheila’ which focuses on couples entertaining through on-line videos, social media posts and an upcoming entertaining guide and cookbook with Penguin Random House.⁣

Inspired by great art and architectural design, Christopher Matthews’ approach to cuisine is all about balance. Christopher creates food, which, in addition to being presented in a contemporary fashion, harmonizes the relationship between great taste, perfect texture and bold colour, while being grounded in the core concepts of Local Food Plus (LFP) and slow food.

Christopher is an industry veteran, having helmed the kitchens of two of Toronto’s largest catering companies for over five years each before joining Eatertainment in 2009. Since his arrival Chris has overseen the development of a new kitchen facility and helped create many of the systems that ensure we can flawlessly execute over 800 events each year. Chris is instrumental in the development of new projects and concepts as he leads the culinary team towards new innovations and cutting-edge cuisine.

Lisa completed her degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Guelph. Lisa has had a passion for all aspects of the food industry since she was a little girl. After working for her family owned restaurant for several years and eventually opening her own pizzeria and catering company, she decided her true passion was in events and bringing other people’s visions to life. The variety of being immersed in planning a black tie wedding one day and the ultimate kids birthday the next, helps fuel her creativity and keep things interesting and fun!

Lizz is the visionary behind our events at the Design Exchange. With a keen eye for aesthetics and a passion for creating captivating atmospheres, Lizz transforms spaces into immersive experiences. Her innovative designs and creative flair set the stage for unforgettable events. With years of experience in the industry, Lizz understands the art of fusing style and function seamlessly. From elegant soirées to cutting-edge corporate gatherings, she ensures every event is a visual masterpiece.

Alicia’s journey in event management began in restaurant operations, where she managed a variety of Toronto locations and helped launch multiple franchises across Ontario and New Brunswick. With a Certified Professional Salesperson accreditation and training in event and luxury wedding planning from QC Event School, Alicia expertly balances sales and logistics to create exceptional events. Most recently, as a Senior Account Manager, she oversaw sales, logistics, and operations for a diverse range of events. Alicia takes pride in managing every facet of an event—from initial quotes to day-of execution—ensuring each client’s vision is brought to life seamlessly and memorably. Now with Eatertainment, she’s excited to continue crafting unique, high-calibre experiences that leave a lasting impact, delivering exceptional service at every step.

Meet our senior event management expert with a global flair! With a rich background in international tourism and culinary experiences, Miguel seamlessly blends creativity, adaptability, and imagination to craft unforgettable events. His keen eye for detail ensures every element is meticulously curated, leaving no stone unturned. A true people person, excelling at networking, and forging meaningful connections to make each event unforgettable. His innovative approach sets trends and transforms ordinary gatherings into extraordinary experiences. Entrust your event to this passionate professional and watch him weave magic, turning your vision into a remarkable reality that leaves lasting impressions.

With over 25 years across all facets of hospitality, Tara brings a rare blend of creativity, strategy, and effortless composure to every event she leads. Backed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD, she pairs artistic vision with operational expertise, excelling in client relationships, event design, and on-site execution.  Known for her calm leadership and polished approach, she transforms ideas into elevated, memorable experiences with ease.

At Eatertainment, Tara merges artistry with event management expertise to craft elevated moments that guests remember long after the lights fade.  It’s not just about planning events, it’s about shaping experiences, inspiring connection, and ensuring every client feels celebrated.

Sarah is a seasoned events professional with 15 years of experience in the industry, bringing a deep understanding of event planning, client service, and on-site execution to her role. Her career spans a wide range of corporate, social, and experiential events, where she has built a strong reputation for organization, creativity, and delivering seamless guest experiences.

A natural collaborator and problem solver, Sarah thrives in fast-paced environments and is known for her calm, solution-oriented approach—ensuring every detail is accounted for from initial planning through to event day. Her ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, without ever compromising on quality, has made her a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike.

Now joining Eatertainment as a Senior Event Manager, Sarah brings her passion for memorable experiences, her commitment to excellence, and her meticulous eye for detail to every event she leads.

Phylicia Mendes is an Event Manager at the Design Exchange with a natural eye for luxury and a genuine love for creating beautifully polished experiences. She’s known for her warm communication style, calm presence, and ability to make every client feel supported from the very first conversation. With a talent for blending thoughtful design with smooth logistics, Phylicia takes pride in crafting events that unfold seamlessly and feel effortlessly elevated. Her goal is always the same: to make each celebration memorable, meaningful, and unmistakably well cared for.

James is a graduate of the prestigious LesRoches Global Hospitality Management Education and holds a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in French haute cuisine. He brings lots of experience in global food and beverage management to the table, having completed numerous internships abroad. He is an excellent team player who thrives at organizing businesses and putting workplace modernization initiatives into practice. His keen attention to detail ensures nothing slips through the cracks. He is not just a problem solver; he’s a solution-oriented professional who thrives on challenges.

His ability to provide project support and resolve issues efficiently is second to none. In addition, his organizational skills and flexibility allow him to handle several projects at once without sacrificing quality. Finally, James has a strong sense of motivation and is renowned for his attention to detail in all that he does.

A determination to succeed in the industry – not to mention a love of food and cooking – brought MeeLee to the fast-paced world of Events & Catering with Eatertainment. She has over a decade of hospitality expertise to bring to our team, which is what originally landed her this specially tailored role.

With an impeccable ability to follow-through on every detail of an event agenda, schedule multiple events simultaneously, and oversee various facets of operations of Eatertainment, MeeLee is the glue that holds our daily operations together. You might say she gets such discipline and focus from her study of mixed martial arts, golf, and snowboarding. One thing is for sure, MeeLee doesn’t mess around when it comes to spread sheets or sports!

We have a saying in the hospitality business and that is “Plan everything in advance down to the smallest detail. Absolutely everything!Because something will still surprise you and when it does, with everything else done, you will be able to deal with it.” No one person in our organization better exemplifies this than Jackie.

Jackie has been in the hospitality industry for over twenty five years and has worked with Eatertainment for most of her career. Jackie originally joined the company as a manager at one of our restaurant locations, but quickly made the transition to our head office and has grown over the years thanks to her expertise and ability to manage large-scale hospitality operations.

Kris Rushton is our Catering Sous Chef, a position which supports the Executive Chef in planning, prepping and executing over 1000 events annually. Kris spent most of his childhood alongside his mother and grandmother making wine and cooking with his Italian babysitters.

Kris’ culinary education took him across Europe, apprenticing in kitchen in Italy and France while also learning butchery and fish mongering. Returning to Toronto, Kris worked at Le Select Bistro where he honed his skills in French cuisine, then Crush Wine Bar and Scaramouche under the tutelage of renowned chef Keith Froggett. It wasn’t until Kris spent a few years in Costa Rica catering for a crowd of Hollywood elite that he truly fell in love with the catering aspect of the culinary craft. Developing menus for broad ranges of palettes and working through the logistics of managing varied budgets for events as large as 4,000 guests, was where Kris eventually found his ‘forever home’ with Eatertainment.

Starting his culinary journey at the age of 15 as a dishwasher at Boondocks Eatery, Chris was captivated by the art of cooking. This passion led him to travel across Canada, gaining diverse experiences before settling in Toronto 12 years ago. Trained in various cuisines, from classical French fine dining to Asian flavours, he discovered his love for catering and embraced it as his true calling. Now, as Eatertainment’s Chef de Cuisine, he leads a talented group of chefs, delivering exceptional events with dishes that are both visually stunning and trendsetting. Adaptable and collaborative, he always strives to meet clients’ visions. Outside the kitchen, you can find him fishing, gardening, or spending time with family.

Victoria is a highly talented marketing professional, who initially honed her skills in the events industry before making the transition to marketing. With her innate creative flair, Victoria is the driving force behind all marketing efforts at Eatertainment.

Victoria has an uncanny ability to adapt to new challenges and innovate to achieve exceptional results. She thrives in the fast-paced and ever-evolving marketing landscape, where she has quickly made a name for herself as a skilled strategist and a trusted partner to her colleagues. In her current role, Victoria oversees all aspects of marketing under the Eatertainment company umbrella, including branding, advertising, and digital marketing campaigns. She is constantly exploring new and innovative ways to engage with audiences and drive business growth.

When it comes to managing the accounts, suppliers and billings for over 1000 events each year, it takes someone very organized and Julianna has proven over the past 16 years to be the woman for the job!

Julianna’s keen eye for detail and analytical prowess ensure our financial records are impeccable. Beyond the numbers, her infectious energy and bubbly personality create a positive work atmosphere that’s truly inspiring. But Julianna’s role isn’t all about work. She’s the mastermind behind our famed “Cocktail Fridays,” blending professionalism with a dash of fun. With a zest for life, she embraces outdoor adventures and relishes time with family and friends.

Isabella is a visual artist with a background in Cinema and Audiovisual from the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil and in Video Design and Production. Recognized for directing award-winning short films showcased internationally, with additional experience in TV and series for Amazon Prime. Skilled in video mapping for Design Exchange and in filming and editing social media content for Eatertainment. Passionate about telling stories through visual art, combining creativity and technology to make a meaningful impact in the field of visual storytelling.

Carmen is a highly skilled Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant at Eatertainment. Carmen holds a financial degree and a Business Administration Diploma from the prestigious Toronto School of Management. Carmen’s passion for accounting was ignited during a semester spent studying Financial Accounting in Spain, which inspired her to pursue a career in the field. With a proven track record in cash flow management and credit bureau operations, Carmen’s exceptional attention to detail and financial expertise make her a valuable asset to the Eatertainment team!