Florida Weekly Chef Q&A with Tastebuds’ Greg Shapiro | Naples Event Catering by Tastebuds

Employment application

Madeline Wink

Operations Manager

As an invaluable member of the Tastebuds team, Madeline helps coordinating event logistics, managing event staff and our in house junk food junkie. Her experience includes hospitality management recruiting as well as working on the banquet team of a major casino.

Madeline’s goal is to help Tastebuds continue to grow, and her favorite part of work is seeing everyone’s vision come together for each event.

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and is still deciding between Italy and a European cruise for her dream vacation.

Favorite Tastebuds dish

Sugar and Spice Shrimp

Samantha Leppo

Event Designer

Known as Sammy around the office, Samantha started at Tastebuds as an intern and has since become so much more. From planning events, to making sure each one is executed flawlessly, to overseeing a variety of office tasks, her role is one of our most diverse.

A graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, Samantha holds degrees in hospitality and entrepreneurship. She also comes from a family of small business entrepreneurs, which explains her dedication and determination to create unique, memorable events.

Sammy enjoys cooking and watching sports. Speaking of sports, she still holds many national swimming records in Trinidad and Tobago, where she was born and competed for 13 years.

Favorite Tastebuds dish

Cheddar Chutney Cheesecakes

Margarita Lopez

Catering Chef

Margarita was the very first Tastebuds employee and has been a core member of our culinary team from the start. As Catering Chef, she prepares, packages and delivers meals. She also preps food for parties, works on-site as an event chef and manages production of our wholesale food accounts.

When she was young, Margarita learned how to cook traditional Mexican food from her mother. She also developed immeasurable work ethic and attention to detail, both of which are always on display.

In her spare time, Margarita enjoys cleaning, organizing and playing basketball with her son. She also likes shopping for clothes as well as new tools and décor for her kitchen.

Favorite Tastebuds dish

Churrasco Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Jeremy Beaudoin

Sous Chef

As Greg’s right-hand man, Jeremy brings some pretty savory experience to the Tastebuds team, including working as a private chef in Martha’s Vineyard.

Jeremy sees cooking as a special way to express himself and help sustain life at the same time. And never completely satisfied, he believes in constant progress working to make himself better each day.

When he’s not creating delicious dishes, he’s either mixing and producing music or working as a youth skateboarding instructor. One day he hopes to ride a motorcycle from Washington state to Argentina.

Favorite Tastebuds dish

Brisket Short Plate

Heather Shapiro

Director of Operations

Heather is responsible for bookkeeping, payroll, staff development, coordinating between departments, marketing and taste testing (her favorite task of all).

A researcher at heart, Heather graduated with a degree in history before deciding to gather catering and business experience and transition into the field. She is highly driven, describes herself as an extroverted introvert and prioritizes making an impact in the life of everyone she works with.

Food is an essential part of Heather’s life. As a child, she had a balsamic vinegar obsession and wanted to be a chef when she grew up. Though her husband Greg is our head chef, Heather does most of the cooking at home because she enjoys it so much. When she’s not cooking, she likes traveling and working out.

Favorite Tastebuds dish

Ham & Gruyere Thumbprints

Greg Shapiro

Executive Chef

A culinary professional for over 20 years, Greg is dedicated to creating incredible experiences and custom menus for every event. His passion, commitment to innovative flavors and love of challenges are an integral part of what we are all about.

Greg’s most valuable experience came from observing and working with talented chefs. Growing up, he also prepared meals at home and in his high school culinary class, where the Tastebuds name was born.

Outside the kitchen, Greg enjoys attending and educating at catering seminars and conferences, sharing with others in the industry and learning about new trends. He also loves Land Rovers and is proud to be an Overland junkie. In fact, his bucket list includes conquering the Trans America Trail in one.

Favorite Tastebuds dish

House Hot Smoked Salmon