Cody Barrera
Director of Sales

Cody began his career with The Walt Disney Company, originally as a tour guide, including for high-profile celebrities. After saying goodbye to the Mouse, he began pursuing his passion for events by joining the American Golf Corporation.

While with American Golf, Cody created a range of events including holiday lunches for over 300 guests, the annual Wedding Show Weekend with over 500 guests, and special experiences for non-profit organizations. He was integral in the successful, last-minute conversion of a 200-person wedding into a birthday celebration.

When he’s not giving tours of the property, Cody can be found working with an espresso in-hand in his favorite place on campus, the Founders’ Room in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

George Peterson Jr.
Executive Chef

Prior to joining The Music Center, Chef George was the Executive Chef of the Anaheim Convention Center. While there he oversaw all culinary operations and created the menus for all events across the property.

Chef George has extensive restaurant management experience including 12 years with The Ritz-Carlton, and six years with The Renaissance Hotel. He received his culinary degree from The Art Institute of Atlanta.

Throughout his career, Chef George has worked on countless high priority events including Presidential Inaugurations, International Embassy Events with top world leaders, corporate events for companies such as Google and Amazon, the annual NAMM show, D23, Disney’s bi-annual fan event for around 100,000 guests, and more.

In between creating gourmet meals for guests, Chef George can be found snacking on a curious food combination that he loves: hamburgers in cocktail sauce!

Shaughn Guidry
Catering Manager

With over 20 years’ experience in high-end catering and event production, Shaughn has proven expertise in executing large-scale events with a focus on logistics, staffing, and client relations.

Serving in past roles for Wolfgang Puck, Patina Restaurant Group, and Love Catering, Shaughn has hosted events ranging in size from 10-person dinners, to the Primetime EMMYS, a high-profile, 4,000-person seated dinner event.

When he’s not seamlessly executing our special events, Shaughn can be found listening to the news in his favorite place on campus, The Blue Ribbon Garden.

Nestor DeVera
Executive Sous Chef

Following two years serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Nestor began a career in fine dining. Starting as a Steward at Copper Grill, a Hyatt Hotel restaurant, he quickly found his passion and talent for cooking. Serving in Executive Sous Chef roles throughout Asia, the Middle East, and more recently at the Anaheim Convention Center, Nestor developed his culinary expertise with international influence.

He has prepared meals for a wide variety of guests, including Muhammad Ali and Professional Boxers Juan Manuel Marquez and Ken Norton.

If he’s not in one of our kitchens across The Music Center Campus, Nestor can be found in his kitchen at home, preparing a meal for his dream dinner guest, his wife.

Melissa Wenke
Senior Sales Manager

Melissa comes to the Hope & Grand team as an experienced Sales & Marketing Manager.

Having worked for Chef Ray Garcia for the past 4 years, she brings a thorough understanding of how to create special, in-restaurant private events for our guests. With a focus on our on-site restaurants, Melissa creates events ranging from private cocktail hours to full restaurant buy-outs.

If she’s not checking on an event in one of our three restaurants, Melissa is likely snacking on treats from Erewhon or her favorite unusual food combination, radishes with butter.

Marizol Muñiz
Sales Administrator

New to a career in events & catering, Marizol “Zolie” brings hospitality experience from her nearly seven years working as a Guest Relations Supervisor at Disneyland Resort.

Excited for the opportunity to create exceptional events for every guest, Zolie brings excitement, creativity, and support to the Hope & Grand team.

When she’s not learning the intricacies of catering, Zolie would ideally be sharing a meal with her dream dinner guest, Karamo Brown.