We are more than just a team, we are a family comprised of artisans, designers, creators, pioneers, and mavens with a lifetime of combined expertise. We thrive on getting to know our clients' passions and dreams and making them a reality. We love to tell stories and create experiences through food and design. Everything we do centers around our passion for bringing people together and creating unforgettable memories.
Chris has been in the event and hospitality industry since the age of 15. He began working for LUX over 11 years ago as a delivery and prep staff, and quickly fell in love with the company. Since then he has worked his way through nearly every position in the company. Chris is extremely passionate about every aspect of LUX and has a high standard of excellence, he thrives on creative challenges of all types. Chris never tires of the creative challenges involved in orchestrating events, and he truly loves sharing his passion for food and design with the LUX family of clients and staff.Chris Sanchez
Managing Partner
Chris has been in the event and hospitality industry since the age of 15. He began working for LUX over 11 years ago as a delivery and prep staff, and quickly fell in love with the company. Since then he has worked his way through nearly every position in the company. Chris is extremely passionate about every aspect of LUX and has a high standard of excellence, he thrives on creative challenges of all types. Chris never tires of the creative challenges involved in orchestrating events, and he truly loves sharing his passion for food and design with the LUX family of clients and staff.
Chris started his career in hospitality at the young age of 10, he would work in the dish room while his parents, John and Kelly Lake, were running events. Chris has worked his way through nearly every position at LUX throughout the years, and in 2017 became a managing partner. He is passionate about customer service and finances. Chris loves to spend his time away from LUX traveling and hosting parties of his own.Chris Lake
Managing Partner
Chris started his career in hospitality at the young age of 10, he would work in the dish room while his parents, John and Kelly Lake, were running events. Chris has worked his way through nearly every position at LUX throughout the years, and in 2017 became a managing partner. He is passionate about customer service and finances. Chris loves to spend his time away from LUX traveling and hosting parties of his own.
Kelly has been with the company since its beginning in 1995, and comes from a long history in the food industry. One of Kelly’s first dates with her husband, John, was working side by side at a wedding with him and his sister, Pat Slade. Kelly's passion and love for the business shines through every day working with employees, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business. In addition to being a managing partner, she is also heavily involved with our sister company, LUX Hospitality.Kelly Lake
Managing Partner
Kelly has been with the company since its beginning in 1995, and comes from a long history in the food industry. One of Kelly’s first dates with her husband, John, was working side by side at a wedding with him and his sister, Pat Slade. Kelly's passion and love for the business shines through every day working with employees, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business. In addition to being a managing partner, she is also heavily involved with our sister company, LUX Hospitality.
Betsy has spent most of her adult life in the hospitality industry, and began working in food and beverage at the age of 16. While living on the Big Island of Hawaii, she began her own catering business, all while working in various positions such as: event coordination, farm to table restaurant management, hosted wine pairings, and more. Betsy started her career with LUX in 2018 as an event lead and has since moved her way up to our Director of Staff Development. She has a passion for creating relationships, meeting new people, and watching an event come together.Betsy Solmonson
Executive Director
Betsy has spent most of her adult life in the hospitality industry, and began working in food and beverage at the age of 16. While living on the Big Island of Hawaii, she began her own catering business, all while working in various positions such as: event coordination, farm to table restaurant management, hosted wine pairings, and more. Betsy started her career with LUX in 2018 as an event lead and has since moved her way up to our Director of Staff Development. She has a passion for creating relationships, meeting new people, and watching an event come together.
Sarah has her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Marketing from the University of Utah and has an extensive background in administration and customer service. Sarah started with LUX as an Event Producer and loved working with her various clients, however, when the opportunity to work with the executive management team arose she couldn’t pass it up! Sarah spends her time away from LUX photographing stunning weddings and elopements, traveling the world, and spending time snuggling her dog, Lemon.Sarah McClure
Director of Marketing
Sarah has her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Marketing from the University of Utah and has an extensive background in administration and customer service. Sarah started with LUX as an Event Producer and loved working with her various clients, however, when the opportunity to work with the executive management team arose she couldn’t pass it up! Sarah spends her time away from LUX photographing stunning weddings and elopements, traveling the world, and spending time snuggling her dog, Lemon.
Colin grew up on a small veterinary medicine farm in Vermont. He started his first kitchen job at a bed and breakfast in his hometown in high school, shortly after he attended The New England Culinary Institute in Boston, MA. After graduation Colin settled in Boston until 2016 when he and his wife moved to Park City, UT to work in a restaurant kitchen and teach culinary arts. Colin has a soft spot for small businesses, local farms, and sustainable efforts in food, and joined the LUX team to continue to grow that passion within the company. When he’s not at LUX, Colin trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is an avid powerlifter.Colin Cunningham
Executive Chef
Colin grew up on a small veterinary medicine farm in Vermont. He started his first kitchen job at a bed and breakfast in his hometown in high school, shortly after he attended The New England Culinary Institute in Boston, MA. After graduation Colin settled in Boston until 2016 when he and his wife moved to Park City, UT to work in a restaurant kitchen and teach culinary arts. Colin has a soft spot for small businesses, local farms, and sustainable efforts in food, and joined the LUX team to continue to grow that passion within the company. When he’s not at LUX, Colin trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is an avid powerlifter.
Cynda was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and has an extensive background in the food and beverage industry. She has spent more than 15 years working in restaurants, the catering industry, as a private chef, and in ski resorts and hotels throughout Colorado. Cynda came to LUX with a passion for creating local cuisine and sustainable products. When she is away from LUX she spends her time outdoors and being a wonderful mom to her five year old son.Cynda Patterman Assaf
Chef de Cuisine
Cynda was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and has an extensive background in the food and beverage industry. She has spent more than 15 years working in restaurants, the catering industry, as a private chef, and in ski resorts and hotels throughout Colorado. Cynda came to LUX with a passion for creating local cuisine and sustainable products. When she is away from LUX she spends her time outdoors and being a wonderful mom to her five year old son.
Cris Aragon
Chef de Partie
Chad Ross
Operations Manager
Liz Battad
Operations Lead
Holly Kuyt
Logistics Coordinator
Christian Johnson
Logistics Coordinator
Patrick Mannos
Beverage Manager
Taylor Stucki
Lead Bartender
Ryan Reich
Event Manager
Courtney started with LUX as an event staff and quickly moved her way up! She has a huge passion for immersing herself and others in LUX company culture, and going above and beyond to make sure every client has a spectacular experience! Courtney loves watching any and all sports, her cat, Hoops, snowmobiling, and dirt biking! Her biggest priority on a daily basis is making other people’s days happier and brighter.Courtney Cunningham
Senior Event Lead
Courtney started with LUX as an event staff and quickly moved her way up! She has a huge passion for immersing herself and others in LUX company culture, and going above and beyond to make sure every client has a spectacular experience! Courtney loves watching any and all sports, her cat, Hoops, snowmobiling, and dirt biking! Her biggest priority on a daily basis is making other people’s days happier and brighter.
Colleen Hansen
Director of Floral Art
Kendra De Laughter
Director of Sales
Jake is a Utah native from Logan. He has been in the service industry for over 12 years, and began at the young age of 15. Jake has worked in several restaurants and bars which has expanded his skill set and helped him thrive. He is a hard working, dedicated, and driven perfectionist. Jake started with LUX as an event staff and worked his way into his current position. When he is away from LUX he enjoys watching and following gymnastics and spending time creating memories with his friends and family.Jake Flores
Event Producer
Jake is a Utah native from Logan. He has been in the service industry for over 12 years, and began at the young age of 15. Jake has worked in several restaurants and bars which has expanded his skill set and helped him thrive. He is a hard working, dedicated, and driven perfectionist. Jake started with LUX as an event staff and worked his way into his current position. When he is away from LUX he enjoys watching and following gymnastics and spending time creating memories with his friends and family.
Melissa Kunes
Event Producer
Jadi Chisholm
Event Producer
Pat is one of the original founders of LUX. Pat worked with her brother John at their family's restaurant, The Hungry Guy. She would later begin work as a caterer in St. George, UT, over 40 years ago. She eventually relocated Salt Lake City and began her own business, Pat’s Weddings. With the help of her brother John and his wife Kelly, they purchased LeCroissant Cafe, which eventually transitioned into LUX Catering & Events. In 2018, Pat made the decision to retire from the company and spend her days with her family, traveling, and lots of babysitting. Pat continues to help LUX and its sister company, LUX Hospitality when needed.Pat Slade
Founder
Pat is one of the original founders of LUX. Pat worked with her brother John at their family's restaurant, The Hungry Guy. She would later begin work as a caterer in St. George, UT, over 40 years ago. She eventually relocated Salt Lake City and began her own business, Pat’s Weddings. With the help of her brother John and his wife Kelly, they purchased LeCroissant Cafe, which eventually transitioned into LUX Catering & Events. In 2018, Pat made the decision to retire from the company and spend her days with her family, traveling, and lots of babysitting. Pat continues to help LUX and its sister company, LUX Hospitality when needed.
John is one of the three original founders of LUX. He started working at the young age of eight at his family’s restaurant, The Hungry Guy. His work at the family restaurant instilled in him his lifelong love for food and people. John and Kelly had one of their first dates working a wedding, and continued to work closely with Pat Slade as the business grew. In 2018, John made the decision to retire from the company and to spend his days cooking for his family, fishing, and being with his grandson. John continues to help LUX and its sister company, LUX Hospitality when needed.John Lake
Founder
John is one of the three original founders of LUX. He started working at the young age of eight at his family’s restaurant, The Hungry Guy. His work at the family restaurant instilled in him his lifelong love for food and people. John and Kelly had one of their first dates working a wedding, and continued to work closely with Pat Slade as the business grew. In 2018, John made the decision to retire from the company and to spend his days cooking for his family, fishing, and being with his grandson. John continues to help LUX and its sister company, LUX Hospitality when needed.
