Meet Dana and his Team
Dana Clark, Founder and CEO 
Chef Dana has been working within the corporate/production catering and hospitality industry for over 30 years. His experience includes managing the hospitality and catering aspects of both Catering by Dana (CBD) and Absolute Barbecue Company (ABC). His companies are sought after throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley for their talented and unique catering experience with both corporate and private events.
Dana oversees and manages all aspects of his two company’s business interests. Since their inception in 1989, he has built his multi-million dollar company to a solid fiscal standing. He credits the sought after reputation and accomplishments of CBD and ABC to both company’s focus on quality of service at every level as well as offering varied and special services. You will often find Dana on site at CBD and ABC client events assuring the company’s high quality standards are consistently preserved.
Stephanie Tchalamov, Director of Operations
Stephanie is a graduate of San Jose State University with a BA in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Her career began working as the Hospitality Director for a local winery where she honed her coordinating skills and love for wine. Stephanie started her tenure at Catering by Dana and Absolute Barbecue Company in 1999 as an administrative assistant. She has worked her way through the ranks over the last decade and now is Director of Operations and a partner in the companies. Stephanie will manage all aspects of your event from menu development to venue layout and much more.
Julie Simonin - Sales, Event Coordination Specialist
Julie earned her degree in Restaurant Management from West Valley College in 1987 and has been with Catering by Dana and Absolute Barbecue Company for over 16 years. She has been in the hospitality industry for over thirty years. Julie’s been working special events at various local wineries since 1991. Weddings and wine are Julie’s true passions; though she enjoys all aspects of event planning.
Kacey Cage - Sales, Event Coordination Specialist
We are very fortunate to have Kacey working full time in our front office. After obtaining her BA degree in Business and Marketing, she comes to us with a considerable amount of catering experience managing the banquet office of one of the Bay Area's premier hotels. Kacey knows everything there is to know about catering products, prices and services. Also, her friendly professional demeanor makes her a joy to work with. If you call our front office, chances are that Kacey will pick up the phone and be happy to provide you with excellent service!
Kimbrough Salas - Sales, Customer Service, Audio Visual Specialist
Kimbrough came to Catering by Dana and Absolute Barbecue
Company in 1997 as a member of our wait staff.
In addition to providing enthusiastic customer service at banquets and
barbecues, Kimbrough is also our resident audio-visual expert and webmaster.
He stays busy maintaining our website and email contacts, as well as providing our clients with microphones, sound systems, video projectors, generators, iPod Party sound
systems and DJ services that make events really fun.
Kimbrough is capable, friendly, outgoing, and happy to
help you book our services for your next big event!
Miguel Mendez, Chef
Miguel has trained under the tutelage of Dana Clark for thirty years perfecting each and every recipe and supporting Dana’s dream and carrying it out daily. Miguel oversees all aspects of the kitchen, selection and prepping food, managing the chef staff, and cooking many of our dishes. Making sure to get the parties out the door, the trucks loaded, and all the nuances of execution are in his capable hands. His extensive experience in the hospitality industry make him an invaluable asset to CBD and ABC.
Carolyn Tracy, Special Projects
Ms. Tracy comes to Catering by Dana and Absolute Barbecue Company by way of her writing and design talents over the past two decades. Carolyn is in our back office and is called on for graphics, artwork, color consulting, gift buying, and designing various artistic ventures within both CBD and ABC.