Owners
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Margot Jones
Owner
I’m the founder and visionary behind the magic that is Purple Onion. Mother of two wonderful men, and surrogate mom and mentor to my team. I believe in the power of hard work, professional development, and positivity to make our company perform exquisitely for our clients.
Contact Margot:
703.631.0050 ext. 301
margot@purpleonioncatering.com -
David Jones
Owner
On paper, my role is to provide support and direction and improve methodologies and new technology to keep us always improving. I apply this curiosity for better methods to everything I do, from playing midfielder in soccer, to Crossfit, to experimenting with new cooking techniques in the kitchen!
Contact David:
703.631.0050 ext. 302
david@purpleonioncatering.com
Our Team
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Paige Carney
Event Designer
Living that blissful newlywed life, you can find me curled up on the couch with a glass of local wine, my new husband (!), and our furchild Charlie shopping and planning my next trip abroad. I’m always working harder for my clients to make their dreams come true (which helps make mine come true).
Contact Paige:
703.631.0050 ext. 312
paige@purpleonioncatering.com -
Margaret Zagrodniczek
Event Designer
My husband and I love to ride bikes and go to wineries and now I get to work at these beautiful wineries and venues in the Virginia countryside. When I’m not working hard for you on weekends, you can find me lifting weights or outside in the sun. My dream is going back to Charleston and eating my way through it and then running it off on Ravenel Bridge.
Contact Margaret:
703.631.0050 ext. 310
margaret@purpleonioncatering.com -
Katy Jones
Event Designer
Supermom to two beauties, thrifting and refinishing queen, and date-night planner extraordinaire. I love exploring this city’s culture and museums with my family, catching a show, or staking out the newest dessert shops for my favorite treats.
Contact Katy:
703.631.0050 ext. 311
katy@purpleonioncatering.com -
Brooke Hickling
Event Designer
While I romantically eloped with my hubby, it’s my joy to live vicariously through my brides by making their wedding dreams come true. You can find me cuddling my corgi, Scarlett, fervently discussing the Marvel Universe, and planning my next trip to the West Coast.
Contact Brooke:
703.631.0050 ext. 318
brooke@purpleonioncatering.com -
Kristen Genton
Event Designer
My love for food stems from having grown up overseas in 7 different countries. From Africa to South America, Spain to Israel, you could say that good food and good company soothes my soul -- especially when chocolate is involved! I’m obsessed with outdoor twinkling lights, live for hosting dinner parties and brunches, and always love a good Netflix binge.
Contact Kristen:
703.631.0050 ext. 323
kristen@purpleonioncatering.com -
Anna Tummarello
Event Producer
I’m a George Mason grad who always specialized in events, so you could say this is my passion! I’m a wedding-obsessed, self-professed foodie who loves acting, traveling, playing with makeup, and live music. Chat with me about wildlife conservation, music education, and how you give back to the community to grab my attention.
Contact Anna:
703.631.0050 ext. 319
anna@purpleonioncatering.com -
Nadia Merriweather
Event Producer
Purveyor of local restaurants and wineries, spontaneous road-trip taker, and Lifetime drama movie aficionado. When I’m not tirelessly working, I’m either snuggling my seven siblings or my SO and sipping on a glass of local red wine.
Contact Nadia:
703.631.0050 ext. 304
nadia@purpleonioncatering.com -
Kyle Gragasin
Executive Chef
Every chef loves cooking and trying delicious food, but you’ll find my hands sore just as much from bouldering as from wielding a knife. When I’m not playing with fire you can find me hiking the gorgeous Virginia trails with my new wife.
Contact Kyle:
703.631.0050 ext. 303
kyle@purpleonioncatering.com -
Adrian Vazquez
Pastry Chef
Spaniard expat serving as Chief Creative Officer for the Pastry department. I love taking my creativity to the piano keys after work, dominating the soccer pitch, or cheering on my favorite teams.
Contact Adrian:
adrian@purpleonioncatering.com -
Gabriela Ushinski
Executive Sous Chef
Sassy, strong, soccer queen sous chef. I grew up in the kitchen cooking traditional Spanish meals as the first-born American in my family. I love working in the kitchen because it suits my fast-learning, fast-talking, and fast-moving lifestyle.
Contact Gabriela:
gabi@purpleonioncatering.com -
Luisa Guiterrez
Sous Chef
I’m a happy mom of three, who lives for singing and dancing. I’m a self-confessed workaholic, but who can blame me when I’m singing and dancing my way through the culinary world?
Contact Luisa:
luisa@purpleonioncatering.com -
Gina Cristiano
Marketing & Business Development Manager
Former school psychologist turned passionate creative marketing manager. I take my passions seriously, whether it be weightlifting or helping create innovative menus with our chef. I’ll be found snuggling my pup, reading, or cooking up new recipes at home.
Contact Gina:
703.631.0050 ext. 322
gina@purpleonioncatering.com -
Shelli Hughes
Administrative Manager
Just when I thought I was done working, Purple Onion pulled me in. I work with the joys of teaching the how’s and why’s of best practices in HR, accounting, and administration to those who will follow me in the future. But in order to pass it on, they’d better figure out how to get rid of me, because I love it here!
Contact Shelli:
703.631.0050 ext. 316
shelli@purpleonioncatering.com -
Monica Dean
Director of Operations
I’m a DMV Native with a deep understanding of both the challenge and the beauty of coordinating events in this gorgeous region. When I’m not waking up at 4 am to run Purple Onion’s operations, I’m escaping to the Eastern Shore to camp with my family or chill by the fire pit!
Contact Monica:
703.631.0050 ext. 306
monica@purpleonioncatering.com -
Francisco Barahona
Assistant Operations Manager
Challenge-seeker, goal-oriented, and a doer. I’m extremely close with my family, and a die-hard soccer fan. You can catch me fishing or showing off my handiwork on my house when I’m not rocking the operations department.
Contact Francisco:
703.631.0050 ext. 315
francisco@purpleonioncatering.com -
Jessica Zapata
Warehouse Manager
I believe in matching my eyeshadow to my company’s trademark color, a sunny disposition, and hard work. I help the sales and operations teams meld their powers together to execute the best of events.
Contact Jessica:
jessica@purpleonioncatering.com -
Guillermo Rubio
Staffing Coordinator
Both Purple Onion’s staffing wiz and an onsite chef, I relax after busy days making my favorite Mediterranean salad or riding my motorcycle to the nearest beach.
Contact Guillermo:
703.631.0050 ext. 313
guillermo@purpleonioncatering.com