In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Lauren Laurent, the powerhouse Director of Catering Sales & Marketing at Levy Restaurants — based at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
With 15+ years in hospitality, Lauren brings a rare blend of operational excellence and heartfelt hospitality to some of the nation’s largest events and conventions. From serving thousands at once to curating elevated experiences that feel personal, she’s mastered the art of listening — not just hearing — to understand client needs and deliver flawlessly every time.
Michael and Lauren discuss:
How to create memorable experiences that make guests feel valued
The power of listening as a sales superpower
Why handwritten notes and human connection still win in a digital age
How to negotiate large catering contracts (and protect your bottom line)
The balance between technology, AI, and human touch in hospitality
How to deliver five-star service at stadium scale
Whether you’re running a local restaurant catering operation or managing large-scale corporate events, this episode will inspire you to elevate every touchpoint — from first call to final thank-you note.
Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software — the all-in-one platform helping caterers streamline operations, save time, and sell more.
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✅ Listen Before You Sell: True sales pros don’t pitch — they listen, take notes, and tailor solutions.
✅ Relationships Drive Revenue: Every deal starts and ends with trust. Build it through consistent communication.
✅ Memorable Moments Matter: Guests don’t remember what they ate — they remember how you made them feel.
✅ Hospitality Scales When Systems Do: From conventions to cafes, processes keep excellence repeatable.
✅ Human + Tech = Power: Tools like AI transcription and communication tech make sales teams sharper — not obsolete.
✅ Old-School Still Wins: Handwritten thank-you notes and follow-up calls stand out in a sea of emails
✅ Leadership Through Service: Great catering leaders listen, mentor, and model excellence for their teams.
🔹 “It doesn’t matter if it’s ten guests or ten thousand — every event deserves the same level of care.”
🔹 “Sales isn’t about talking — it’s about listening until you really understand the client.”
🔹 “We still write handwritten thank-you notes. That personal touch never goes out of style.”
🔹 “Hospitality is in the details, and excellence is in the systems that support them.”
🔹 “Technology doesn’t replace people — it helps us serve them better.”
🔹“Every guest interaction is a chance to be memorable — in the right way.”
