Meet the Team

Natoshia, Senior Sales Manager

Natoshia brings over 15 years of event management and sales expertise from esteemed venues like Loews Hotels & Co, Sonesta Hotels, Convene, and JLL (theMART). Leading a diverse array of events – both big and small – she excels in logistics, creative management, and delivering seamless experiences across corporate meetings, weddings, conferences, social events, and trade shows. Renowned for exceptional customer service and adept negotiation skills, Natoshia ensures exceptional and unforgettable events at the Shedd Aquarium. With a commitment to creativity and meticulous planning, she seamlessly executes events of any scale, providing an unforgettable and stress-free experience for her guests in the vibrant culinary landscape of Chicago.

Latanya, Sales Manager

Latanya holds an impressive 26-year journey in the hospitality realm. Renowned for her innovative prowess, she excels in nurturing client bonds and orchestrating seamless event experiences. Latanya’s career is marked by a keen ability to tackle challenges head-on, meticulously track objectives, and foster cross-departmental collaboration for project success. Formerly, serving as a Catering Sales Manager at Marriott Chicago O’Hare, where she showcased her expertise in perfecting wedding, social, and corporate bookings, all aimed at exceptional guest experiences and budget attainment. Her adept skills and meticulous event oversight consistently surpassed client expectations. With an unwavering focus on enhancement, collaborative synergy, and maintaining composure under pressure, Latanya is dedicated to crafting unforgettable guest experiences at Shedd Aquarium.

Caleigh, Sales Coordinator

Caleigh brings extensive event coordination experience from her tenure at Blue Plate Catering. There, she honed her skills orchestrating diverse events, ensuring optimal guest experiences through meticulous attention to detail and creative event layouts. Her proficiency in staff management, logistics, and custom menu creation showcases her ability to innovate and deliver exceptional experiences. Now leveraging her expertise at the Shedd Aquarium, Caleigh ensures flawless event execution, driven by her dedication to excellence and passion for creating unforgettable moments.

Chef Matt, Executive Chef

Chef Matt is a seasoned culinary professional with a diverse background in hospitality. With extensive experience from renowned establishments like Aramark at Soldier Field and Alliance Hospitality’s Delta Hotel by Marriott, Matt has honed his skills in creative menu development, kitchen management, and event execution.

Throughout his career, Matt has led innovative initiatives, from opening new venues to crafting restaurant menus and training staff. His expertise includes extensive menu development, vendor management, and budgeting, ensuring both exclusive culinary craft and incredible staff efficiency.

An award-winning executive chef, Matt consistently raises guest satisfaction scores and enhances dining experiences. His commitment to culinary excellence and innovation enriches the Sodexo Live! team at the Shedd Aquarium.

Chef Anna, Sous Chef

Chef Anna is a seasoned culinary professional with diverse experience in the food industry, spanning healthcare, resorts, banquets, and breweries. Highly motivated and adept at multitasking, Anna excels in prioritizing workloads under pressure while maintaining a commitment to quality and variety.

In her previous roles, Anna has demonstrated strong leadership skills and excellent interpersonal communication. As Head Chef at Phase Three Brewing Company, she created menus, developed recipes, managed inventory, and ensured the quality of dishes. Additionally, as Sous Chef at Cherry Circle Room in Chicago, Anna oversaw day-to-day kitchen operations, managed staff, and conducted research and development for future menu items.

Anna’s experience also includes serving as Sous Chef at the Denver Art Museum, where she organized and planned events, managed teams, and curated beautiful displays and platings for banquets. Her ability to handle large-scale events and meticulous attention to detail make her a valuable asset to the Sodexo Live! team at the Shedd Aquarium.

Chef Chelsea, Sous Chef

Chef Chelsea is a highly skilled culinary professional with expertise in various cuisines, menu development, event planning, and inventory control. Known for her visionary approach and ability to lead teams effectively, she has excelled in roles such as Kitchen Manager and Director of Culinary Operations at Beautiful Rind in Chicago, where she innovated menus and ensured food safety standards.

With experience spanning roles like Expediter/Lead at Ardor and Sous Chef at Mount Hawley Country Club, Chelsea has demonstrated her talent in directing high-volume food preparation and managing kitchen operations. Additionally, her tenure as a Caterer/Culinary Teaching Assistant at The Cookery showcases her versatility in menu development and event management.

Chelsea’s diverse background and expertise in restaurant management, hospitality, and cooking make her a valuable addition to the Sodexo Live! team at the Shedd Aquarium.