A Lively Chef Catering
Our Lively Team
Chef Mark
Chef
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Coming Soon…
Chef Alyssa
Chef
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Coming Soon…
Chef Jordan
Sous Chef
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Coming Soon…
Chef Dana
Executive Chef
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Dana joined our team in 2014 with over 30 years professional experience. A Culinary Institute graduate, he trained under numerous Michelen 3 Star Chef’s including Chef Georges Blanc and Chef Charlie Palmer. He was a guest chef at the American Institute of Wine and Food; the Friends of James Beard Benefit and he worked for Pat Riley for three of his Miami Heat Charitable dinners. His passion is food, and his desire Is to please the most discriminating palates. Chosen for the “Best Thing I Ever Ate” by Romero Britto, he presented the dish at the Food Network’s SoBe Wine and Food Festival. He loves spending time with his daughter Alexandra when he is not working at A Lively Chef and is an accomplished scuba diver.
Lizzy Sonokey
Client Relations & Office Manager
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Lizzy moved from Lewiston to Boise in 2019 after earning her bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing, bringing with her a strong interest in the hospitality world. Her passion for events began in college while working for Happy Day Catering, where she developed appreciation for the fast pace, logistics, and creativity that go into executing successful events. Shortly after relocating, she joined A Lively Chef Catering as an event manager in training when the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted the industry.
During that time, Lizzy explored real estate, strengthening her communication skills, efficiency, and adaptability. When events resumed, she returned to A Lively Chef, where she now books and coordinates events from initial inquiry to event day. She works closely with each client to understand their vison and ensure each experience feels flawless, personalized, and unforgettable. When Lizzy is not planning events, you can find her with her two dogs, camping, reading, writing, or enjoying a local brewery or bistro.
Peter Steiger
Operations Manager
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With over 25 years of experience in fine dining, hospitality, and corporate culinary leadership, Peter Steiger brings both world-class expertise and a local touch to A Lively Chef Catering. His career spans executive roles in top restaurants and as Corporate Executive Chef with Sysco Foods, where he drove innovation, menu development, and client success on a national scale.
Since joining our family-owned company in 2025, Peter has helped lead us into a positive new direction— mentoring our team, and elevating every aspect of our service. Passionate about both people and food, he combines professionalism and creativity with the personal warmth of a local business, ensuring that every guest experience is seamless, memorable, and truly special.
Maria Fernanda Rogel Perez
Event Manager
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Maria AKA Fern was born in Mexico and moved to Boise, Idaho at the age of 5. They graduated from Treasure Valley Community College in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Art. Fern began working with A Lively Chef Catering in 2022 as Event Staff and quickly moved into an Event Manager position. When Fern is not helping with catering events, they are a part of Idaho Timber Thorns semiprofessional soccer team.
Maria Vallejo
Event Manager
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Maria was born and raised in Honduras. She moved to Idaho in 2015 and started her journey with A Lively Chef in 2018. She is bilingual in Spanish and English, loves to cater all kinds of events, and is as helpful as she can possibly be to ALCC clients. When Maria is not working, she loves spending time with her family. She has 4 kids, 2 grandkids, and a beautiful marriage of 27 years.
Tina Chorn
Event Manager
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Tina was born and raised in Boise. With two years under her belt as Event Manager, Tina specializes in organizing and executing memorable events. She takes pride in ensuring every detail runs smoothly while creating an experience that reflects our client’s vision. Tina brings energy, initiative, consistency, and great personal touches to every event she manages. Outside of work Tina is a proud mom of two, loves spending time with family, crafting, diving into a good book, and making lasting memories.
Chef Dana Brizee
With more than 30 years of professional culinary experience, Chef Dana brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and passion to every event. Trained under Michelin-starred chefs and recognized for his work at prestigious culinary events, Dana leads menu development and culinary operations with a commitment to exceptional food and unforgettable guest experiences.
Lizzy Sonokey
Lizzy oversees front of house operations, client relations, and event planning for A Lively Chef. With hands-on event expertise, she guides clients through the planning process while coordinating the details that ensure each event is seamless, organized, and memorable.
Our Event Management Team
Once planning is complete, our experienced event managers take the lead onsite, ensuring every detail is executed smoothly and every guest receives exceptional service.
Our Culinary & Event Staff
Behind every successful event is a talented team of chefs, cooks, servers, and event professionals. We are proud to work alongside dedicated individuals who share our commitment to hospitality, professionalism, and creating memorable experiences.