============================================================ TITLE: Wedding & Events Team | Bella Collina Orlando TYPE: article VERSION: 2 VERSION_ID: 645aca91-623f-4291-8f8b-6c30841be929 GENERATED_AT: 2026-10-02T14:59:51.930Z SUMMARY: Get to know Bella Collina's wedding and events team in Orlando, FL, from dedicated catering coordinators to award-trained culinary and pastry chefs. READING TIME: 9 min WORD COUNT: 1774 KEYWORDS: Wedding & Events Team, Bella Collina Orlando, Melanie Halusek, Taylor Tufts, Ashton Lawrence, Samantha Merrill, Joseph Chiarella, Hugo Peña, Jorge Bernedo, David Gonzalez SOURCE URL: https://www.bellacollina.com/meet-the-team ============================================================ KEY TAKEAWAYS: * The People BehindYour Perfect Day * Your Planning Team * Melanie Halusek * Taylor Tufts * Ashton Lawrence ##### Weddings · The Club at Bella Collina # Meet The Team ## Our service team at Bella Collina is committed to providing you with an experience beyond your expectations. Meet Our Talented Events Team ## The People BehindYour Perfect Day ##### Weddings & Catering ## Your Planning Team The trusted partners who will guide you from your first conversation through every detail of your celebration. Select a name to read more. Melanie Halusek ###### Director of Sales Hi, I'm Melanie Halusek, Director of Sales for Bella Collina. Congratulations on your engagement! This is such a meaningful and exciting season, and it is an honor to help you begin your wedding journey. At Bella Collina, we believe your celebration should feel as unique and unforgettable as your love story. I value working closely with couples and their families as they navigate one of the most important decisions in the planning process, selecting the setting where their memories will begin. I enjoy getting to know each couple's vision, helping them explore possibilities and serving as a trusted resource as they weigh options, balance priorities, and make decisions that feel right for them. I understand that choosing a venue is more than selecting a beautiful location, it's about finding the place where your story begins, and I am committed to making that decision feel both exciting and effortless. My goal is to make your experience feel welcoming, informative and exciting while providing the guidance and confidence needed to move forward with ease. I look forward to creating a wedding experience that feels authentically yours from the very beginning. Taylor Tufts ###### Catering
Manager Hi, I’m Taylor Tufts, Catering Manager for Bella Collina. It is truly a privilege to help create unforgettable experiences for couples as they celebrate one of the most meaningful days of their lives. With a background in hospitality and a passion for extraordinary events, I thrive in bringing thoughtful details, seamless coordination, and personalized touches together to create celebrations that feel both effortless and unforgettable. I take great pride in serving as a trusted partner throughout the planning process, guiding couples with warmth, care, and attention to every detail along the way. From curating menu selections to refining the overall guest experience, my goal is to ensure each wedding feels beautifully reflective of your vision while allowing you to fully enjoy every moment of the journey. It is an honor to be part of such a special season, and I look forward to welcoming you to Bella Collina and helping bring your wedding dreams to life. Ashton Lawrence ###### Catering Coordinator Hi, I’m Ashton Lawrence, Catering Coordinator for Bella Collina. It is a privilege to be part of such a meaningful chapter in our couples’ lives and to help create celebrations that are both seamless and memorable. With a passion for hospitality and a keen eye for detail, I enjoy bringing together the many moving pieces of the planning process to ensure each wedding day unfolds with intention, care, and ease. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is building genuine relationships with the couples I serve, providing thoughtful guidance and personalized support every step of the way. Whether coordinating event details, assisting with menu selections, or helping refine the guest experience, my goal is to create a planning journey that feels organized, enjoyable, and uniquely tailored to your vision. Being entrusted with such an important occasion is something I never take for granted. I look forward to welcoming you to Bella Collina and helping create an experience that allows you to be fully present as you celebrate with the people you love most. Samantha Merrill ###### Catering/Sales Coordinator Hi, I’m Samantha Merrill, Catering/Sales Coordinator for Bella Collina. It is truly a joy to help couples begin their wedding journey and bring their unique vision to life. From our very first conversation to the final moments of celebration, I am passionate about creating a personalized and enjoyable experience that leaves couples feeling confident, inspired, and excited every step of the way. With a background in both wedding sales and coordination, I love introducing couples to everything Bella Collina has to offer while providing thoughtful guidance throughout the planning process. Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of what I do, and I take pride in getting to know each couple, understanding their vision, and helping transform their ideas into an unforgettable celebration. Being part of such a special milestone is both an honor and a privilege that I deeply cherish. I look forward to getting to know you, sharing the possibilities of Bella Collina, and helping create a wedding day that is every bit as beautiful and memorable as you’ve imagined—and more! ##### Culinary & Beverage ## Our Culinary & Beverage Team A team of talented professionals crafting culinary menus and extraordinary dining experiences worthy of your celebration. Select a name to read more. Joseph Chiarella ###### Director of Food & Beverage Hi, I’m Joseph, Food & Beverage Director at Bella Collina. I bring a lifelong passion for the culinary and hospitality industry, along with extensive experience in culinary arts, pastry, food and beverage management, and education. My journey in the industry began early, growing up surrounded by the culinary world and developing a deep appreciation for the creativity, craftsmanship, and hospitality that bring exceptional dining experiences to life. I earned an Associate of Science degree in Pastry Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Beverage Management from Johnson & Wales University, along with a Culinary Certificate. My education provided me with a strong foundation in both the culinary arts and the business of hospitality. For 10 years, I served as a culinary and pastry instructor, where I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and industry experience with aspiring culinary professionals. Teaching strengthened my passion for mentorship and allowed me to help shape the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals. Today, I bring that same passion for food, hospitality, and people to my role at Bella Collina. I’m committed to creating memorable dining experiences, supporting culinary excellence, developing strong teams, and bringing together the creativity and business of food and beverage to create an exceptional experience for every guest. ###### Director of Culinary Hi, my name is Hugo Peña, the Director of Culinary and Beverage for Bella Collina. Your special day not only deserves an incredible venue provided by our property, it deserves a top of the line menu that will exceed your wedding vision and treat your guests to a luxurious dining experience. With 20 years of culinary expertise, it is my passion to craft timeless menus that will elevate your perfect day. With the freshest ingredients and a culinary team skilled in a variety of cultural cuisines, our menus work to offer you an elegant and unique catered event. Thank you for allowing Bella Collina to be such a significant part of the beginning of your forever! Jorge Bernedo ###### Banquet Chef With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chef Jorge brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his role at Bella Collina, where he has been an integral part of the team for 13 years. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in 2007, Chef Jorge has also worked at some of Orlando’s most prestigious private clubs, including Bay Hill Country Club and Isleworth Country Club. Originally from Arequipa, Peru, he blends his culinary training with the rich flavors of his heritage to create memorable dining experiences for members and guests alike. David Gonzalez ###### Pastry Chef Chef David Gonzalez is a classically trained pastry chef and proud graduate of the Culinary Institute of America — the world’s premier culinary college, often referred to as the “Harvard of culinary schools.” With over nine years of professional experience, Chef David has built his career in some of the most renowned fine dining restaurants, members clubs, and luxury hotels across the globe, specializing in plated desserts, laminated doughs, and artisan breads.Chef David loves to share his passion for pastry through teaching others and sharing food, recipes, and experiences. His background spans the artistry of plated desserts, the precision of fine dining, and the large-scale demands of banquet production.Drawing from these diverse experiences, Chef David combines refined technique, innovation, and hospitality-driven passion to deliver the highest level of member and guest satisfaction. His approach to pastry emphasizes balance, elegance, and creativity — ensuring every dessert is both a visual centerpiece and a memorable culinary experience. Jacob Whitright ###### Sommelier & Certified Cicerone® Hi, my name is Jacob, Restaurant Manager at Bella Collina, where I oversee our beverage programs across the property, from beer and wine to spirits and craft cocktails. With 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I’ve developed a genuine passion for creating memorable experiences through exceptional service and thoughtfully crafted beverage programs. As a Certified Beer Server through the Cicerone Certification Program and an Introductory Sommelier, I bring a strong foundation of beverage knowledge and experience to every aspect of our guests’ experience. To me, a great beverage program is about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about complementing the occasion, enhancing the dining experience, and creating moments your guests will remember. I’m especially passionate about mixology-driven cocktails, bringing together thoughtful ingredients, technique, balance, and presentation to create drinks that are both approachable and distinctive. Whether it’s selecting the perfect wine for your celebration, curating beer and spirits, or creating a signature cocktail inspired by your story, my goal is to make sure every detail of your beverage experience feels intentional and personal to you. It’s a privilege to be part of your celebration at Bella Collina, and I look forward to raising a glass with you as you begin this next chapter together. ## Let's Plan Something Beautiful Our team is ready to help you begin your journey. Reach out to schedule a tour and start the conversation. Contact Us ------------------------------------------------------------ ABOUT THIS CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------ Source: https://www.bellacollina.com/meet-the-team This content is provided for informational purposes. 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