Our Staff

Catherine Buford, General Manager

Catherine Buford has been with Food in Bloom for over ten years and brings an extensive culinary background to her position. Catherine relocated to Portland after completing her degree at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. During her time in the Bay Area, she cooked with several top chefs in restaurants in both the Napa Valley and San Francisco. Her love for food began in the South, with family roots in Texas and Louisiana. Catherine has a passion for food and planning events that is shared with her clients, developing relationships that last many years.

Jessi Cox, Event Planner

Jessi Cox is an Alumna of the Culinary Institute of America and brings fifteen years of industry experience with her. She grew up in South Florida where her passion for food began with her first catering job while attending college. From there, Jessi began her culinary journey, taking her to Los Angeles, New York and Italy, where along the way she received a Masters in Italian regional cooking.She has published recipes in the book: David Rosengarten Entertains and worked with the beloved, Anna Tasca Lanza at her cooking school and winery in Sicily. She also managed Mark Militello’s fine dining restaurant in Boca Raton and helped open Norman Van Aiken’s in LA. Jessi also teaches private cooking lessons and works with top catering professionals. She has been a chef with Food in Bloom for three years and we are very excited that she has transitioned to Event Planner. If you ever have a chance, ask her what it was like catering to the stars and cooking Easter dinner for the Osbournes.

Kris Kremers, Event Planner

After coordinating her own birthday party at the age of 9 to include a scavenger hunt, hot dog eating contest and Barbie fashion show, Kris’ family knew that she was destined to be a party planner. Kris has been planning events for Food in Bloom since February of 2007, after relocating to Portland from San Francisco.As a former Marketing and Events Director of a popular San Francisco tourist destination, Kris brings extensive experience in event planning, marketing & public relations to the Food In Bloom team. In her spare time, she enjoys perusing antique stores, exploring the Oregon Coast, and cooking for her family and friends. With her dual passions for culinary and decorative arts, Kris puts her talents and enthusiasm for creative menu planning and décor to work for your special event.

Ellen McNerney, Administrative Assistant and Montgomery Park Sales

Krystal Kelch, Event Planner and Assistant to Catherine Buford

Colleen O’Neil, Staffing and Operations Manager

With a lifetime of experience in fine dining, catering and event production, Colleen works to insure the success of your event by coordinating our team of skilled professional servers and bartenders to serve your guests with grace and enthusiasm. Her behind the scenes efforts in coordinating various aspects of Food in Bloom’s events for the past decade, has helped to earn Food in Bloom the reputation as one of Portland’s most reliable and exceptional caterers. Downhill skiing, live theater and the blues are at the top of her favorite things list!

Elizabeth Roberts, Marketing and Sales

Born into a family of travelers, Elizabeth Roberts grew up sampling the world’s cuisines, from China and Australia to Mississippi and Argentina. Eventually finishing up her formative years in Southern Oregon, Elizabeth took jobs in the food industry as soon as she was old enough: back of house, front of house and even running community gardens in between. Event planning is a job that taps into her prior experience in baking and managing bakeries (Pearl Bakery and Little T American Baker), handling marketing and product development for an organic beverage company, running sustainability programs, and even teaching, which she has a Masters in. She feels fortunate to work with some of the best chefs around and is happy to bring their cuisine to Portland tables.