Sam Pena, General Manager
As General Manager of Centered Chef, Sam has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Sam’s passion for hospitality and event planning is evident in both his resourcefulness and attention to detail. He puts clients at ease with his casual, yet comprehensive approach and his personalized service. As GM, Sam oversees all special events at Centered Chef.
Prior to his employment at Centered Chef, Sam’s creativity and knack for thinking outside of the box fueled his success in a 16-year tenure with Sodexho. As Area General Manager, he oversaw catering and event planning at seven separate facilities. Most notable of these sites was the former LaSalle Bank Executive Dining Club at the world-famous Field Building in Chicago. Sam and his staff of chefs were instrumental in developing this private dining club and, along with his team of service professionals, they hosted senior bank executives and their clients on a regular basis. His standard of service and aesthetic detail eventually paved the way for LaSalle Bank to select the Executive Dining Club as a showcase for their award-winning art gallery, which consisted of more than 3,000 historical images.
As the dining club became the focal point of the bank’s social activities, Sam realized his true passion was in producing special events. From swanky VIP cocktail receptions to formal black tie galas, his talents began to expand into some of Chicago’s most recognized venue spaces, including the Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry and Grant Park. With all of his experience, Sam is glad to once again have an opportunity to pioneer a new concept, with that of Centered Chef
