Catersource + The Special Event Schedule 2026
Scandals in Hospitality: Lessons from the Trenches
Suzi Shands (Co-President, Mintahoe Catering & Events)
Fausto Pifferrer (Vice President, Blue Elephant Catering)
Stephen Zilli (Chief Operations Officer, Zilli Hospitality Group)
Date: Tuesday, March 3
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
Zilli Hospitality Group, Mintahoe Catering, and Blue Elephant Catering bring together over 100 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry—an era's worth of lessons, challenges, and yes, scandals. In an industry where trust and reputation are everything, these three seasoned owners have faced their fair share of crises and emerged stronger.
This session offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at real-life scandals that rocked their businesses—from internal theft and inappropriate relationships to management shake-ups and legal threats. More importantly, it reveals how they navigated these challenges with resilience, strategic thinking, and a touch of detective work.
Attendees will gain practical tools to identify red flags, implement preventative systems, and respond effectively when things go wrong. Learn how to audit operations, establish clear policies, and even "set up" a potential scammer. With the right approach, scandals can be prevented—or turned into powerful learning moments.
Whether you're a small business owner or a corporate executive, this session will help you protect your brand, your bottom line, and your peace of mind.