If you’ve attended an event catered by All Occasions Catering, there’s a good chance you’ve met Ms. Debra.
For the past six years, Ms. Debra has been part of countless weddings, celebrations, fundraisers, and gatherings. As the lead banquet staff member, she takes immense pride not only in the work itself, but in the people around her, the team she leads and the families she serves.
When we sat down to talk, Ms. Debra shared photos from years of events. Each one came with a story, a memory, a moment she hadn’t forgotten. She said something early in the conversation that stuck with us:
“When I leave an event, I like to leave the love behind.”
And if you ask the guests who’ve met her, that’s exactly what she does.
Finding Joy in Other People’s Big Days
When Ms. Debra first joined All Occasions Catering, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. What she discovered was a role that allowed her to do something she loves — helping people feel supported on days that matter deeply to them.
“The best thing,” she says, “is making sure they’re happy.”
Sometimes it’s as simple as walking by with a smile. Sometimes it’s reassuring a nervous host that everything is going smoothly. Often, it’s just letting people know someone is there for them.
“It’s amazing what a smile can do for people,” she explains. “You want them to know you’re there to support them through everything.”
Making a Connection
Ms. Debra has a natural way of connecting with guests, something she says comes from her personality, and perhaps from the thirty years she spent as a preschool teacher before joining the catering world.
“I introduce myself right away when people walk through the door,” she says. “I want them to feel comfortable. I want them to feel good.”
For Ms. Debra, those small connections shape the entire atmosphere of an event.
“As long as my team is here to serve and support, and we’ve made a connection with the family, it’s smooth sailing.”
She smiles as she talks about it.
“It fills my cup…and that cup runneth over.”
Her work begins the moment the linens go down and continues until the last table is cleared. And sometimes, when the moment is right, it even includes stepping onto the dance floor.
Moments That Stay With You
After years of events, certain memories still stand out.
There was a wedding in Milwaukee where a bride grabbed Ms. Debra’s hand and pulled her onto the dance floor mid-reception. They danced through the entire song before the bride hugged her and said thank you.
“She just wanted to relax and enjoy the moment,” Ms. Debra says. “That’s what we try to do — take some of the stress away.”
At another event, the bride had envisioned her dessert table arranged in a very specific way. She had a particular vision. When Ms. Debra saw the setup, she instinctively adjusted the display, and unknowingly created something that matched what the bride had imagined.
The following Monday, a thank-you note arrived specifically about the dessert table!
“That meant a lot,” Ms. Debra says. “It meant I understood what she wanted, even without her having to explain it.”
Watching for the Moments Others Miss
Throughout an event, Ms. Debra is constantly observing the room.
“I watch, I observe, and I anticipate,” she says.
Sometimes that means quietly preparing a to-go plate for a couple who’s too nervous to eat during their own reception. Other times it means brewing coffee for older guests who might be feeling tired or cold, even if coffee wasn’t originally planned as part of the event.
“None of that is written in our job description,” she says. “That comes from the heart.”
To Ms. Debra, those small gestures are what help turn a good event into a memorable one.
Handling the Unexpected
Not every event is purely celebratory. Some are emotional. Some carry weight.
One of the most memorable events Ms. Debra worked was a “homegoing” service for a beloved fire chief held during a blizzard. Despite the storm, the room filled with people who wanted to honor his life.
When it was time to clean up, his daughter approached Ms. Debra and asked for a little extra time before the program concluded.
“I told her, of course. Take all the time you need,” Ms. Debra recalls. “You want people to feel supported in moments like that.” She wrapped up the leftover food and made sure it was ready to go, neatly packaged with love for the family.
For Ms. Debra, the goal is always the same: making sure guests feel cared for, no matter the nature of the gathering.
The Pressure Behind the Scenes
From the outside, events can look effortless. Behind the scenes, there’s a lot happening.
“There are days where things don’t go as smoothly as you’d like,” Ms. Debra admits. “Sometimes you feel like there isn’t enough time, or you’re short-handed.”
But she says the team always finds a way to make it work.
“There’s a lot of pressure to make sure everything is right. We care so much about the work. You want people to remember the event in a positive way that makes them feel good just thinking about it.”
And more often than not, they do.
“I get a lot of hugs,” she says with a smile.
The Best Part of the Night
When asked about her favorite part of an event, Ms. Debra doesn’t hesitate.
“The dancing,” she says immediately.
After dinner, when the room relaxes and the energy shifts, Ms. Debra often encourages guests to celebrate.
“I’ll see them coming through the buffet and say, ‘I’ll see you on the dance floor!’”
She loves to get to know the DJ, help get people moving, and create an atmosphere where guests feel comfortable letting loose.
“It changes the whole event,” she says.
Why She Keeps Showing Up
After years of long days and late nights, Ms. Debra says the meaning behind the work hasn’t faded.
“What matters is how people remember the event,” she explains. “How did we make them feel?”
That’s what keeps her coming back.
“That’s where the joy is.”
Ms. Debra’s Advice for Anyone Planning an Event
At the end of our conversation, we asked Ms. Debra if she had one piece of advice for couples and families planning an important event.
She didn’t hesitate.
“Just be happy,” she said simply.
Find a way to enjoy the moment. Let yourself feel the love instead of the stress.
“Smiles are contagious,” she adds.
And after talking with Ms. Debra, it’s easy to see that hers certainly is.
