MEET OUR TEAM

PAULINE PARRY

Founder / CEO

Pauline Parry is the heart and soul of Good Gracious! Events. With the guidance of the prestigious British Hotel and Restaurant Management traditions, Pauline branched off to start her own company in the heart of Los Angeles. Pauline’s cutting edge mind-set, fashionable talent, culinary creativity and exquisite palate have all facilitated the award-winning services of her culinary + events company, Good Gracious! Events. Professional event planners, private clients, and corporations, both national and international, seek her out for her innovative ideas and imaginative concepts.

Pauline has a very strong presence and a hearty laugh, always a trendsetter in producing top quality and fabulous presentations. Not only has she been inducted into the Industry Hall of Fame for Events and Weddings, she has published a book “FOOD, FUN, LOVE: Party Styles,” so everyone can experience a taste of what she creates.

JOANNE PURNELL

President

Joanne Purnell has been a staple of the Good Gracious! Events’ team for nearly 20 years as Chef de Cuisine. Having a similar passion as her mother, Joanne graduated from the California Culinary Institute and soon after moved to England and Paris to gain experience working with modern, international cooking trends.

With her innovative eye, attention to detail and cultural taste, she is also an educator and leader in the catering industry. She has received numerous awards including ‘Chef of the Year,’ and had her work celebrated in various food and entertainment magazines.

Joanne is constantly in the kitchen, coming up with ingenious new dishes and visionary ideas. She will be a force to reckon with for years to come.

“Creativity is all about opening your mind to the possibilities.”

– Pauline Parry

 

(Front Row, L-R)

Considered an expert by her peers, Stacy is a veteran in the industry with a career spanning over 30 years.  She served on the board of the San Diego chapter of the International Live Events Association, eventually growing from chapter president to Western Regional Vice President.  She attained her CSEP designation in 2001 and maintains the designation through experience, education and leadership.

stacy@goodgraciousevents.com

STACY FAILING, CSEP | Vice President Special Events –

Margarita, the queen of the kitchen has grown with Good Gracious! Events over the past 30 years, now serving as our Executive Chef.  Her attention to detail, organization, exquisite palate, and ability to find top quality organic products for clients are what make her the glue of the kitchen. She’s greatly respected by all at Good Gracious! Events.

Margarita@goodgraciousevents.com

  MARGARITA HERNANDEZ | Executive Chef –

A great leader must have a vision, and Brandon has just that. Brandon joined the Good Gracious! Events team eight years ago and has consistently curated and managed our outstanding hospitality service team. Listening, envisioning, problem solving, and managing all details is top priority to building a great reputation. Brandon has produced that and more at every engagement proudly gaining us high notability within the event industry.

When Brandon is not managing the logistics of an event you can find him playing music with his band!

 BRANDON CONWAY | Event Personnel Manager –

Pauline Parry is the heart and soul of Good Gracious! Events. With the guidance of the prestigious British Hotel and Restaurant Management traditions, Pauline branched off to start her own company in the heart of Los Angeles. Pauline’s cutting edge mind-set, fashionable talent, culinary creativity and exquisite palate have all facilitated the award-winning services of her culinary + events company, Good Gracious! Events. Professional event planners, private clients, and corporations, both national and international, seek her out for her innovative ideas and imaginative concepts. Pauline has a very strong presence and a hearty laugh, always a trendsetter in producing top quality and fabulous presentations. Not only has she been inducted into the Industry Hall of Fame for Events and Weddings, she has published a book “FOOD, FUN, LOVE: Party Styles,” so everyone can experience a taste of what she creates.

pauline@goodgraciousevents.com

  PAULINE PARRY | Founder / CEO –

Cindy has been in the food +  beverage, logistics, design, and coordination industry for over two decades. Cindy speaks Spanish which allows her some skill with Good Gracious! Events in being able to communicate with a wide variety of venues, guests and staff. Her contributions to each and every event we produce are greatly appreciated.

Cindy is very involved within the event industry, simultaneously working as President of the SoCal WIPA chapter, as well as the Board of Clique.

cindy@goodgraciousevents.com

  CINDY CELIS | Director of Business Development

(Back Row, L-R)

Deservedly earning the title of Right-Hand Man, Dennis leads the culinary staff alongside Executive Chef Margarita. Dennis pursued a culinary career early in life as a prep cook in fine dining. As his skillset grew, so did his curiosity with the professional industry. After obtaining his Culinary Degree, Dennis worked his way up in the kitchen, and in 1995, lent his talents to Good Gracious! Events. His leadership and passion have taken the team to the next level in producing amazing results.

  DENNIS QUINTANILLA | Chef de Cuisine –

Having a 25-year presence at Good Gracious! Events, Benjamin has one of the strongest backgrounds in the culinary industry. He is highly regarded for his expertise in grilling and food prep. His hard-earned position as Subject Expert is a rarity and well deserved for those who work hard enough. Benjamin is that person in our kitchen, a key player with vital insights.

  BENJAMIN ESQUIVIAS | Sous Chef –

Joanne Purnell has been a staple of the Good Gracious! Events’ team for nearly 20 years as Chef de Cuisine. Having a similar passion as her mother, Joanne graduated from the California Culinary Institute and soon after moved to England and Paris to gain experience working with modern, international cooking trends.

With her innovative eye, attention to detail and cultural taste, she is also an educator and leader in the catering industry. She has received numerous awards including ‘Chef of the Year,’ and had her work celebrated in various food and entertainment magazines.

Joanne is constantly in the kitchen, coming up with ingenious new dishes and visionary ideas. She will be a force to reckon with for years to come.

joanne@goodgraciousevents.com

  JOANNE PURNELL | President –

Diego began his journey in the operation service business in his home town of Tepa. Three years ago, his path led him to Good Gracious! Events.  Diego runs operations for all events while procuring equipment to arrive at the right place and the right time. Diego is very detail-oriented and takes pride in the work he does to make your day run as smooth as possible.

  DIEGO TRUJILLO | Operations –

With over 28 years of experience in the industry, Rosina has embodied Good Gracious! Events’ core values in creative direction and presentation. Starting as an assistant pastry chef, Rosina applied her kinesthetic expertise in crafts and hands-on learning from her career as a Kindergarten Teacher.

Now as Head Pastry Chef, she has pushed the envelope in terms of detail and design, creating our signature cookies, pastry sculptures, and our award-winning, delectable macaroon walls.

Rosina is the absolute sweetest of the sweet.

 ROSINA ESQUIVIAS | Pastry Chef

(Not Pictured)

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pauline@goodgraciousevents.com

We have smaller teams working in the kitchen so that everyone is adequately spaced 6 feet apart per WHO guidelines. We have also implemented temperature scanning upon arrival to our kitchen and encourage our staff to stay home and use company-paid sick hours if they are not feeling well.

Our team wears gloves and masks while on the premises. They wash hands hourly at minimum and sanitize the kitchen frequently throughout each day using EPA-approved disinfectant for the fight against COVID-19.  

Our food has always been prepared on-site daily to ensure freshness and upmost safety standards. Ordering and payment are done through our website so that our guests can enjoy contactless curbside pick-up. 

Our new packaging includes meal seals to ensure the food and drink items have not been opened or tampered with during the pick-up or delivery process. 

If you have any other questions regarding our health and safety measures, please don’t hesitate to call or email us. We look forward to serving you.