Kathy Pedersen

Background

About Kathy Pedersen

As General Manager of Catering & Events at Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant in Knoxville, Tennessee, brings over 20 years of hands-on leadership in the hospitality industry, with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, building high-performing teams, and driving operational excellence. Successfully managed thousands of events, spearheaded training and development programs, and led initiatives that have resulted in increased guest satisfaction, improved staff retention, and consistent revenue growth. Leadership style is collaborative and results-oriented—Believes that the best guest experiences begin with empowered, motivated teams. At Chesapeake’s, oversees all aspects of daily operations, from staff training to guest relations and strategic planning. Prior to this role, owned a boutique catering & event planning company, On Occasion Catering & Events, in Lake Zurich, was instrumental in launching new concepts, sustained sales growth each year, and mentoring future hospitality leaders. Key Skills: • Event Planning & Execution • Strategic Operations Management • Leadership Development & Team Building • Guest Experience Optimization • P&L Accountability & Budgeting • Staff Training & Mentoring • Process Improvement Whether on the floor, in the kitchen or creating outstanding off premise events, my goal is always the same: to cultivate memorable dining experiences and drive sustainable success for the business. Let’s connect—I’m always open to sharing ideas and insights with fellow hospitality professionals.