Michaels’ Catering has been serving the Champaign-Urbana community since 1984. We design all of our events around the expectations of our guests. Decor, menu, staffing and atmosphere are all tailored to your specific needs and desires. We make sure whatever we do, is first class. We design our menus to create maximum enjoyment for all of your guests. We will customize your menu to fit your needs. We love being able to facilitate special moments and memories in your life.
Stephen Kovachevich Owner
Stephen Kovachevich started with Michaels’ Catering in 1992 while completing his Restaurant Management degree from the University of Illinois. As an owner, he is highly interested in staying ahead of the food trends while keeping the classic favorites available. Stephen has spent time catering in Chicago for large events as well as upscale small gatherings. He is very passionate about food and is enthusiastic about other people enjoying it. Stephen’s goal is to exceed your expectations for your dining experiences with Michaels’ Catering.
Whitney Ackermann Owner
Whitney fell in love with food service at her first job at age 15 at Michaels’ Catering in Champaign. She earned her degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Illinois. She spent over 15 years in the casual dining market and found her way back to Michaels’ Catering in the fall of 2008. She became a partner in January of 2017. She enjoys the challenges and the creativity that the catering world presents, and that no two days are ever the same.
Ling Kuhn Owner
Ling Kuhn is a graduate of the University of Illinois Hospitality Management Program. During her time at Illinois, she was involved with the student-run café, Bevier Café and the student-run fine dining restaurant Spice Box. Ling joined Michaels’ in Fall of 2019. Ling then became and owner in 2023. Building relationships with clients and creating a party that exceeds our client’s needs is very important to her.
Zulema Peace Office Manager
Zulema Peace has been with Michaels’ Catering since 2010 as a part-time server and by 2014 we knew we wanted Zulema to be our office manager. Her friendly disposition and sweet personality make her the perfect person to deal with our clients daily. During her time at Michaels’, she has grown to be a customer favorite. Born and raised in Argentina, she is bilingual and adds some Latina flavor to our staff. Her kind heart and love of animals, especially her little doggies, is evident by the many photos by her desk.