Founding Executive Chef, Owner
Lynette La Mere, the PJC Executive Chef, Owner, and Relentless Culinary Explorer with over forty years of experience in the culinary arts, specifically as an off-premise catering specialist, has done thousands of events. Lynette started this business as a single mom with custody of two very fine young boys. She has contagious passion and energy, and after many years of 20-hour days, she's proud to tell you that her company of people & her sons continues to thrive.
Our Core Team
Senior Event Planner
Patrick Ward is a lovable delight! His contagious enthusiasm for events is legendary. He's a master of taking someone's vision and helping them create a truly memorable experience. After thousands of special events he has the experience to really help make dreams come to life. He genuinely cares about the clients and what they want. As our Senior Event Planner, he'll provide you with top notch advice and seamless service.
Executive Chef
Marguerite grew up outside of Paris, France. She credits her painter father for instilling her love of the culinary arts. After attending culinary school at August Escoffier, she decided to take advantage of her dual citizenship, and moved to the United States in 2015. After some years as a sous chef in Florida, she was drawn to Santa Barbara, mostly due to our region's incredible produce. Marguerite has been a wonderful addition to the Pure Joy team. We benefit greatly from her strong palette, leadership skills, and passion for simple food cooked perfectly. You can catch Marguerite shopping at the Saturday farmers market, leading our prep team at our headquarters, killing it in the kitchen at events, or drawing on her days off.
Sales and Event Planner/ Event Supervisor
Annie is a true Joy Maker through and through, a lifer, she's been at this since her first job and I suspect her last one too, it is in her bones. Her work ethics and incredible intellect are among our greatest assets. Annie Rose has got an uncanny ability to read the room, and understand exactly what people want & need - not always the same things - and help them achieve their vision. She naturally masters the Pure Joy specialty of listening. It is such a pleasure, and a real honor, to work with such a fresh, contemporary professional, and very likable lady.
Production Manager
Liz is such a lovable genius. She's the wizard behind the curtain who takes care of the myriad of details entailed in executing Pure Joy's large complex off-premise special events. Unlike most catering companies, we go through every detail with a fine tooth comb, from the proposal stage to the final plans and that's where Liz shines. After years of event planning and sales, she was so good at making sure everything was perfect, we put her in charge of Pure Perfection and that really is her magical power.
Production & Design
Dane is one of those employees who puts his heart and soul into the entirety of his work. If he says he's going to do something, you know you can have complete and utter trust in him. He comes through for the rest of his team when needed and he can lead the pack unlike any other. This season, I would say Dane wins MVP! He packs the vans, drives them to and from the events, tends the bar, works as waitstaff, supervises events and jumps in wherever he's needed. He's a fantastic person with a stellar attitude and we're so lucky to have him be a part of the Pure Joy team.
Prep & Event Chef
Adriana was born and raised in Santa Barbara with her four brothers. She was brought up by her inspiring single mom, who she grew up watching cook amazing food for her family every day. Adriana knew that she wanted to cook professionally from childhood, went immediately into culinary school after graduating high school, and has no doubts about the career path that she is so passionate about. After spending time at Santa Barbara institutions like The Shop, Teddy’s by the Sea, and the Rosewood, Adriana started her work at Pure Joy in 2021. She loves the contrast between catering and her previous restaurant work, and one of her favorite things about being an event chef is strategizing how to set up her kitchen and produce incredible food for someone’s “best day ever”. Her coworkers love her passion for learning new things and her sense of humor, and she is often one of our monthly employee MVPs. When Adriana isn’t working, you’ll find her enjoying family time with her husband and two kids.