Take a Second to Get a Taste of Our Team...
Tracy Toth, Owner
Tracy started out pursuing a political science major in college, but soon realized it was the entertaining end of politics she preferred. In 1990, she brought her dry wit, Ford Escort that didn’t go in reverse, and Boston University education to Georgetown’s Take Me Home, setting the DC catering-world on fire. Tracy racked up the catering sales, got to know every facet of the business, and eventually bought the company in 2000. She gave Take Me Home a new name, Quite A Stir in Catering, and it’s been a wild ride ever since. Her clients will attest they can’t get through a conversation with Tracy without great menus, great service and great laughs. Though she’s only 5 feet tall, she stands head and shoulders above her competition. (The big secret is that she’s a great chef herself—but don’t tell her staff, or they might put her to work!)
CONTACT TRACY: 301-881-9810 or Tracy@quiteastir.com
Lisa Gill, Senior Event Coordinator
Lisa Gill, QAS Senior Event Coordinator, may be a new kid on the culinary block, but she is passionate about creating memorable events. A former professional performer, Lisa does her best performances now on her client’s events. Lisa is a California native, loves food, wine and music – your event is in her very capable hands! She’s a creative, stand out on the QAS team…ready to make events large and small successful!
CONTACT LISA: 301-881-9810, Lisa@quiteastir.com
Erika Mitchell, Event Coordinator
Erika credits good ol’ Mom with her occupation. “My mom planned the absolute best parties for us as kids,” she says. Who knew it would spawn a future career for her daughter? Today Erika thrives on the creative challenge of the job – and the people. A Boston transplant, she is known around the office for her gullibility (test her) and the fact that she spends her days throwing parties, but cannot operate a can opener (really). Fortunately QAS has folks that can do that for her! Erika admits a passion for great food – which makes QAS the perfect spot for her to use her creative energies!
CONTACT ERIKA: 301-881-9810, Erika@quiteastir.com
Trina Leigh Mercer, Event Coordinator
Trina first discovered her passion for event planning at the ripe age of 13 when she single-handedly planned, and with the help of her girlfriends, pulled off the surprise birthday party of a lifetime for her mommy. Trina has come a long way since the days of handmade invitations and decorations made of construction and crey paper (though she admits she still owns both in case of an emergency). A Celiac and former vegetarian, Trina will jump at the opportunity to design a fabulous menu to accommodate your event's special dietary needs. Trina's outgoing demeanor, creative drive and love of industry trends make her a dynamic player on the QAS team.
CONTACT TRINA: 301-881-9810, Trina@quiteastir.com
Bruce Nesbitt, Executive Chef Emeritas
Executive Chef Bruce Nesbitt’s grandmother from Cherry County, Nebraska, taught him practically everything he knows about cooking. Thankfully, his cuisine has expanded from midwestern traditional fare to now include specialties like turkey tetrazini, chicken marsala, and wild mushroom raviolitti (people who’ve tried it say they’d kill for a plate of it). Over the 25 years he’s been with Quite a Stir, Bruce has, in the words of the great Casey Kasem, kept his feet on the ground, while reaching for the gastronomic stars. He admits maybe his Grandma’s biggest advice has paid off: “She always said, “Don’t ruin it!”
CONTACT BRUCE @ 301-881-9810
Karl Hester, Executive Chef
Boy oh boy - here’s a rags to riches story – Karl Hester started cooking when he was 15 on the graveyard shift at a greasy spoon in Michigan. He kept at it and has now cooked his way across NYC, San Francisco, L.A., Seattle, Boston, Tuscon and St. Thomas. He’s been on the front lines of DC cuisine since 1980, and QAS is fortunate to have him as a chef on their culinary team. This single dad is an avid reader and incredible artist. He can dish up an elaborate meal or fancy bite that will fit your event perfectly!
CONTACT KARL: 301-881-9810, Karl@quiteastir.com
Sergio Sanchez, Sous Chef
The dictionary defines a ‘sous chef’ as the second in command in the kitchen, but QAS staff will tell you Sergio Sanchez is in a class by himself. A talented sous chef with Quite a Stir since 1990, Sergio wins the QAS Mr. Congeniality vote, with a rep for always going the extra mile and being a team player—no ego here. Originally from El Salvador, he’s been called a ‘great communicator that never takes credit’ by his co-workers. This family man swears that he will “work with Quite a Stir 'til the day I die.” Humble, loyal, AND talented—this guy is the whole package!
CONTACT SERGIO @ 301-881-9810
Adrienne Czechowski, Pastry Chef
FACT: Adrienne knew practically zilch about cooking until a few years ago…OK, not really, but sorta. Adrienne has a background in Human Resources, but changed professions, graduating from culinary school in 2008. She began her foodie career as a pastry chef at 1789 Restaurant in Georgetown, and then at the fabulous Oval Room Restaurant. QAS swooped down and scooped her up, and now she’s creating heavenly concoctions daily. A former archaeology major, she once participated in a 6-month dig in Honduras. We’re glad she gave that up, because we dig her pastries!
CONTACT ADRIENNE @ 301-881-9810
Keith Petrack - General Manager
Keith brings over 25 years’ experience to his role at Quite a Stir. He’s a lifer in the hospitality industry. Charming with his Pittsburgh upbringing and tireless energy, our night owl Keith is known around these parts for being the nicest guy in the world. (Really!) Note that Keith has lost all his hair. We tease him - the industry did it to him! His fair complexion turns a glowing shade of crimson whenever he consumes the spicy food he loves. It’s great entertainment for our compassionate staff.
CONTACT KEITH: 202-439-4022, Keith@quiteastir.com
Jennifer Leslie, Human Resources and Service Manager
Working as Service Manager since 1995, this California girl heads all things related to wait staff, often juggling multiple crews, and making it look easy. Jennifer also puts her background in social work to good use as Quite A Stir’s Human Resource Generalist- gracefully balancing interdepartmental operations and keeping the place staffed with the world’s greatest employees.
CONTACT JENNIFER @ 301-881-9810, Jennifer@quiteastir.com
Kathleen Egan, Office Manager
Anyone can tell you the Office Manager knows pretty much everything about a company. Kathleen Egan’s no exception. As Quite a Stir’s Office Manager since 2005, Kathleen corrals the paperwork, pays the bills, maintains the computer system and is the behind the scenes force. She’s a bit shy—no Facebook page to announce every little thing about her to the world—but she takes great pride in her work. This Connecticut-transplant is the Girl Friday to the QAS team, and can whip out an invoice from 1996 in the blink of an eye!
CONTACT KATHLEEN: 301-881-9810, Kathleen@quiteastir.com
Wilton Bonilla, Supervisor
Just between us, Wilton Bonilla is Quite a Stir’s secret weapon. This way-too handsome guy’s events go off without a hitch, and he’ll do just about anything to make it happen. (Wilton swears there’s nothing he can’t fix with duct tape.) He is a Supervisor, which is just a generic name for the ‘make sure drivers are on-time, food is packed right, parties go off flawlessly’ guy. He’s perfected the 3,500-person parties, as well as small get-togethers in homes. No matter the event, this El Salvadorian transplant and proud U.S. citizen has kept QAS humming along since 1996.
CONTACT WILTON: 301-881-9810, jwb50@live.com
Walter Lopez, Operations Supervisor
You might get a kick out of knowing that Walter Lopez, QAS Operations Supervisor, used to play soccer professionally. Good for DC’s culinary world though, that he traded in his jersey and cleats to grace QAS parties all over town! Lopez has been a rising star on the Quite a Stir team since 2004 and loves the challenge of learning something new daily. He makes sure QAS is a winning team – for every event!
CONTACT WALTER @ 301-881-9810
