Discover the passion and expertise behind every detail.
Our talented chefs, creative consultants, and professional planning staff always aim to exceed your expectations.Β Β We promise to give you plenty of reasons to feel confident and excited about your upcoming event!




Tracy is inspired and motivated by the challenges of the kitchen and working with a dedicated team. He enjoys the constant change and the opportunity to create successful events.
Fun Fact: Tracy is an ice fishing enthusiast!
Christy is inspired by the joy she helps create for clients on their most memorable days, whether itβs a wedding, corporate event, or family gathering. She thrives on the variety of the industry, embracing the challenges and creative opportunities that come with every unique event. Building lasting relationships and mentoring her team are among the highlights of her work.
Christy stays active in the event industry through her involvement with the Downtown Council, ILEA (International Live Events Association), and TCWEP (Twin Cities Wedding & Event Professionals). She also participates in Meet Minneapolis and other networking events to stay connected and up to date on industry trends.
Fun Fact: In her early twenties, Christy had the unique experience of being Ansel Elgort's nanny in New York City. During this time, she also worked in the fashion industry, cultivating an eye for detail and creativity that continues to influence her work in event planning today.
Rachel's dedication extends beyond her role at Mintahoe, as she currently serves as the Director of Marketing for the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE). She has also been involved with the Minnesota Restaurant Association's Board of Directors. Always eager to stay connected and grow, Rachel finds joy in learning and contributing to the industry that fuels her passion for creating unforgettable experiences.
She loves the ever-changing nature of the catering worldβno two days are the same! Jenny is always up for a challenge and is known for her quick thinking and creative problem-solving, inspiring the phrase "WWJD: What Would Jenny Do?" among her team.
Jenny is TIPS trained and ServeSafe Certified. Outside of work, she keeps busy with her large family of six children, raises backyard chickens (earning her the title of βoffice egg dealerβ), and isnβt afraid to experiment with unique culinary creationsβshe even made hot sauce caviar for a gala! She credits Mintahoe with expanding her palate, especially when it comes to mushrooms.
With years of experience and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories (including a champagne cork mishap that nearly took out her best friendβs eye!), Jennyβs love for the industry shines through in everything she does.
What drives Derrick in his role is the people he works with and the everyday challenges of providing exceptional food to top executives, families, and athletes. He thrives on the unpredictable nature of the job, embracing each day as an opportunity to create something unique and extraordinary. The excitement of never knowing exactly what the day will bring keeps him motivated and energized.
Derrick is proud to be a part of Atikis, which has earned recognition as the number one catering service for NetJets, one of the largest flight companies in the U.S. He is also a member of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA), a testament to his dedication to the industry.
Outside of work, Derrick enjoys bass fishing, ice fishing, and gardening. He especially loves watching his kids play sports, making family time a top priority.
When he's not working, you can find him on the golf course, enjoying his favorite pastime.
What motivates Eric in his role is the challenge of creating well-organized processes with minimal room for error, often achieving this through his expertise in Excel. He finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of a company that provides unforgettable experiences, especially after his previous work in the debt collection world.
Outside of work, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Jill, their two dogs, and two rabbits.
Fun Fact: Eric is an Excel wizard and he is a proud pet parent, though he doesn't have kidsβ¦yet!
While in college, Steve's parents purchased a small catering company, and he spent the next two summers learning the ropesβwashing dishes, buttering buns, cutting fruit, and serving up delicious ribs and chicken. Upon graduation in 1981, during the recession, Steve was invited to run the family business. He quickly realized that managing a small business was the perfect opportunity to apply his business education. Some of his notable achievements included orchestrating a 1,000-person pig roast for 3M, which eventually grew into multiple division picnics, and executing a 5,600-person picnic with a grill-on-site menu, served in just 100 minutes.
After 15 years of running his own business, Steve joined the McMertys, bringing his large-group catering expertise to the team. He also introduced technology and modern systems, transitioning the company from using carbon paper to more efficient digital processes.
What inspires Steve most in his role is the ability to please people and say no as little as possible. He loves meeting new people and making them look good, always striving to exceed expectations and create memorable experiences.
When heβs not busy with catering and events, Steve is an avid tennis player and serves as the president of a local 250-member ski club. The club organizes exciting ski trips in the Western U.S. and internationally, ensuring plenty of adventure year-round.
Rebekahβs passion for hospitality began while working as a waitress and bartender during college. She has gained experience in diverse environments, from local establishments to the vibrant club scene in San Francisco. Her motivation stems from the opportunity to connect with new people and create distinctive, unforgettable experiences for each client.
What Rebekah Loves Most About Her Work: Rebekah enjoys the dynamic nature of her roleβevery day brings something new and exciting.
Fun Fact: Rebekah finds balance and inspiration through her love of gardening, camping, and spending time in the great outdoors.
Samantha got her first taste of the industry in college, serving in restaurants and volunteering on a gala event planning team for a non-profit. After graduation, she dove in headfirst with an internship on a corporate meeting planning team in Hawaii, discovering her passion for crafting unforgettable experiences.
For the past five years, Samantha has embraced freelance wedding planning, bringing her adaptable, client-focused approach to lifeβs most meaningful moments. She loves the dynamic nature of the industryβevery event is a fresh challenge, and she finds fulfillment in turning ideas into reality.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys gardening, traveling, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with her husband and two young kids. A fun fact? She once got stung by a jellyfish! And of course, sheβs always up for a cold glass of rosΓ© and a good football game.
Inspired by helping others, Nikita thrives on creating unforgettable experiences for clients and teaching behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade. She loves collaborating with the talented, creative people in the events industry, where every personality and background contributes to incredible celebrations.
Outside of work, Nikita stays busy as a mother to twin boys, Myles and Wesley. She enjoys music, hiking, and exploring Minnesotaβs North Shore, often recharging with a day trip to Lake Superior. When sheβs not with her kids or out in nature, you might find her at a local brewery, savoring an IPA with friends.
After college, Haley worked as a day-of coordinator for a local wedding planner, where she fell in love with helping couples bring their dreams to life. She later gained valuable experience as an Event Coordinator for a Minneapolis restaurant group and continued to pursue her passion for weddings and special events.
Haley is inspired by the joy and excitement of wedding days, particularly seeing all the intricate details come together to create someoneβs happiest moments. She thrives on staying up-to-date with the latest wedding trends and loves watching couples incorporate them into their big day.
Fun fact: Haley has been a vegetarian for 24 years!
What motivates Ella in her role is the joy she experiences watching couples on their special day, from the big moments to the behind-the-scenes details. Planning her own wedding deepened her passion for helping others bring their dreams to life, and she enjoys ensuring every client feels satisfied and at ease on the day of their event.
In addition to her event expertise, Ella is also a leader in a local non-profit high school ministry.
Ella and her fiancΓ© have known each other since 6th grade but, amusingly, she accidentally friend-zoned him for 8 years! She also loves Mexican food!
Having worked in the food industry for over 25 years and as a nursing assistant for 22 years, Carol transitioned to events and catering full-time in 2019. She finds joy in the energy of events, the diversity of cultures and traditions, and the fast-paced environment that aligns perfectly with her dynamic work style.
Fun Fact: Carol has toured with big names in the music industry and comes from a family of published authors. She has also won awards for her poetry and has a love for pizza, which she enjoys sharing with her kids.
What motivates Ruby most is seeing an event come together just as her clients envisionedβor even better! She thrives on exceeding expectations, ensuring every detail contributes to a seamless and memorable experience. Building genuine connections with clients is at the heart of her work, and she loves creating an atmosphere of trust that leads to lasting partnerships for future events.
Beyond her career in catering and events, Ruby serves as a Culinary Specialist in the Army National Guard, a role she has proudly held since 2015. Outside of work, she enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors with her two dogs, attending live music events with friends, and cherishing quality time with family. She also has a passion for cooking and baking, always finding joy in sharing homemade sweets with loved ones.
His passion for transforming chaos into simple, flavorful art led him to the Denver metro, where he co-founded a niche catering business in 2010. He later transitioned into corporate dining, refining his leadership skills and overseeing high-volume food service operations. Most recently, Kevin served as an Executive Chef at Abbott, managing multi-unit corporate dining facilities that served over 600 guests daily while executing multiple catered events each week.
Now based in Minnesota, Kevin is dedicated to exceeding client expectations through quality, consistency, and exceptional service. Beyond the kitchen, he enjoys spending time outdoorsβdisc golfing in the summer and skiing in the winter.
As a member of Bata Cappa with honors and a Certified Minnesota Public Notary, [Name] is dedicated to helping employees understand the business world and ensuring companies stay compliant, including DOT compliance. Sheβs a true people person who loves seeing employees succeed and work together.
Outside of work, [Name] enjoys camping at Countryside Campground in Askov, MN, where sheβs been a regular for 15 years. She loves putting together fun potlucks and tastings with her Tastefully Simple treats. In the winter, youβll find her soaking up the sun and meeting new friends on Carnival cruises.

Our Story
Our company is defined by the employees. At Mintahoe, we are a true family company. With a dedicated core team, many with us for over twenty years, we take pride in our collective achievements. We care deeply about each other and our work, embodying what a company should be.
-Suzi, Jim, & Shawn McMerty