Culinary Excellence at Chesapeake Conference Center

A Dedicated Executive Chef, On Every Event

Unlike many venues that outsource catering or rely on standard packages, Chesapeake Conference Center features an on-site Executive Chef on every event. That means your menu isn't chosen from a static list; it's crafted. From ingredient selection to plate presentation, our Chef is personally involved in bringing your vision to the table, ensuring consistency, quality, and a level of culinary creativity you won't find with a typical banquet kitchen.

For you, that means:

• Custom menus tailored to your event, your guests, and your budget
• Consistent quality, from the first course to the last
• A culinary partner, not just a caterer; someone who can offer guidance, suggestions, and flexibility as your event comes together

Chef Stephen brings over 20 years of culinary experience to the Chesapeake Conference Center. A lifelong love of cooking, sparked by kitchen memories with his mom, eventually led him away from a science degree at Penn State and into culinary school at Baltimore International College, where he graduated with honors in Baking, Pastry & Arts.

Stephen's career took him from pastry cook at The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront to eight years with the Smithsonian Institution, where he rose from Sous Chef to Executive Chef, leading kitchens at the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. Along the way, he helped open the National Museum of African American History & Culture and cooked for events ranging from the Kennedy Center Honors to the U.S. Senate and Supreme Court.

After relocating to Virginia Beach, Stephen opened Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery before serving as Executive Chef at Greenbrier Country Club in Chesapeake.

Stephen's food philosophy centers on local ingredients, minimizing waste, and building community partnerships to fight food insecurity. When he's not in the kitchen, you'll find him tending his backyard garden or smoking a full meal at home, with his two dogs, Franklin and Penelope, close by.

Whatever the tone of your event, we have a service style to match:

• Plated Dinners — a polished, full-service dining experience
• Buffets — variety and flexibility for guests of all tastes
• Stations — interactive and visually engaging food experiences
• Hors d'Oeuvres & Receptions — perfect for cocktail hours and networking events
• Custom Menus — for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, designed around your event

We know that great meetings run on great food. Our team supports corporate groups with:

• Morning, midday, and afternoon snack breaks
• Boxed lunches for meetings on the go
• Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner service for multi-day conferences and corporate events

Whatever your meeting schedule looks like, we'll build a catering plan that keeps your group energized and on track.

Some of the most meaningful events are the ones rooted in tradition. Whether you're hosting a Quinceañera, a Debut, or any celebration where cultural dishes are central to the experience, our Chef has the skill and versatility to prepare authentic dishes that taste like home.

We take pride in bringing cultural cuisine to the table with the same care and craftsmanship as our classic catering favorites; because your celebration should reflect you.