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Stefi Tonrey
Catering Director
Stefi is an East Coast native who still considers the Washington, DC area home. After graduate school in San Francisco, she knew she wanted to get back East and eventually found her way to Charleston, drawn to its mix of hospitality, food, music, and design.
Her background is a little unexpected. Stefi is a classically trained orchestral trombonist with two degrees in performance, and she started her career working in a recording studio. With a natural love for bringing people together, she transitioned into events while working alongside Design Cuisine in DC, one of the city’s top catering companies known for producing events at the highest level. With guidance from her mentor, Bill Homan, she built a strong foundation in both the creative and logistical aspects of event production.
At the center of her work is the guest experience, but she believes an event is only truly successful if the team behind it feels that same sense of pride. She cares deeply about creating events that feel personal, thoughtful, and seamless from every angle.
She’s especially proud to be part of the team at Cru Catering, where the level of care and attention to detail stands out. Her experience also includes working with one of Vogue’s top planners and helping execute a large-scale event in Charleston for over 1,100 guests at the Southern Legislative Conference.
Stefi is known for being collaborative, steady under pressure, and supportive of her team. She values clear communication and making sure everyone feels confident in their role, especially when things move quickly.
At Cru, she loves the creative, yes-forward mindset. When an idea arises, the focus is on making it happen, not on why it can’t, and that energy is reflected in the final product.
Outside of work, Stefi enjoys traveling, especially for live music, trying new restaurants, and spending time outdoors. On a nice day, you’ll likely find her walking the beach with her husband and their shih-tzu, followed by good food, a glass of wine, and time with friends.
