About Us

Chef Stephen Clickner

Chef de Cuisine

Stephen oversees the daily culinary production for catering and is responsible for menu development and planning at Saltaire.

Chef Stephen brings nearly 40 years of culinary experience to the Saltaire team, including more than 25 years in senior chef leadership roles. He began his career at age 14 as a dishwasher and progressed through every kitchen position, receiving formal training at the five‑star Westin Hilton Head Island.

His passion for cooking was shaped early by extensive family travel and by growing up on a farm, where fresh produce was a daily part of life, from gardens and orchards to dairy and chickens. Friendly culinary competitions with his brother fueled his creativity and interest, while the culture and energy of professional kitchens cemented his passion for creating memorable flavors, textures, and experiences through food. His career includes national media features, work at Postrio in San Francisco under Wolfgang Puck, competitive ice carving, and collaborations with Emeril Lagasse, John Besh, and Susan Spicer. He has also assisted at the James Beard House and cooked for artists, writers, and public figures.

Outside the kitchen, Chef Stephen enjoys road cycling, the outdoors, and writing. He continues to grow heirloom vegetables for his farm‑to‑table dishes, blending his rural roots with the demands of a fast‑paced campus dining environment. His favorite dishes include braised short ribs, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and warm, freshly baked bread.

Jason Alessio

Event and Guest Experience Manager

Jason oversees all event coordination and sales for Catering and our auxilary brands.  He is responible for our business approach, development and elevating client relations.

Jason attributes living and learning in some of the greatest cities in the world to shaping his global perspective and positive outlook on life. He believes in being socially and environmentally responsible in everything we do, from the food we eat to the lessons we teach our children. Before UC San Diego, Jason spent a decade working in Italian restaurants and luxury hotels. Jason graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

• Has lived in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Milan, Italy.
• Speaks fluent Italian.
• Loves chocolate in almost any form and a nice glass of wine or scotch.

Derrick Caruthers

Assistant General Manager

Oversees the daily operations of our Catering Department.

A hospitality veteran who holds more than two decades of experience in food service, fine dining, country clubs and fast-paced high functioning restaurants. He is a U.S. Army veteran and has lived in more than eight different states before landing in San Diego. Derrick joined UCSD Catering in March 2022.

Fun Fact: Derrick is a passionate Mixologist and enjoys creating and sharing his craft cocktails.

Elizabeth Kelly

Event Coordinator

Elizabeth joined UC San Diego Catering in 2023, bringing a diverse background of hospitality experience to the team. She began her career at a luxury New England bed and breakfast in Boston and has over a decade of experience working as a catering supervisor at various restaurants and catering companies. Her studies in Hospitality Management add to her excellent customer service.

Elizabeth is bilingual in Spanish and speaks Caribbean Creole. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor activities, and writing poetry.

Stefan Lammert

Event Coordinator

Specialization: Stefan is the most experienced catering coordinator with a vast knowledge of all the venues on campus. He focuses on events at the Price Center, Jacobs and Atkinson Hall, Rady School of Business, and MET. He also has the most experience with large student events with carnival foods and entertainment.

Stefan believes that the best customer service comes from the heart. He began his professional career with an apprenticeship in the hotel business in Berlin, Germany, and became a San Diego “native” in 1998. Prior to joining the campus, Stefan held various roles with Hilton, Kimpton, Hyatt and Marriott. He brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience. He likes cooking, baking, good beer, and a delicious piece of quality cake with a cup of smooth coffee on a Sunday afternoon.

Francis Laureano

Event Coordinator

Specialization: Francis is responsible for coordinating catering at some of our new campus venue spaces like the Design and Innovation Building, Epstein Family Amphitheater, Franklin Antonio Hall, Park and Market, the Chancellor’s Complex and events at Liontree Arena. Francis, a culinarian, takes on a lot of higher end events that are food forward which require custom and creative culinary experiences.

Francis Laureano began his hospitality career after graduating The Art Institute of Orange County with a degree in Restaurant Business Management with a concentration in Pastry Arts.

He brings over 10 years of experience in food and beverage to the Catering Event team, including valuable training in menu development, event planning, catering, and customer service in restaurants and resorts throughout Los Angeles and San Diego.

Francis continues his passion for the Pastry Arts by visiting local and well renowned bakeries to admire the craft and to acknowledge trends.

He enjoys weekend getaways to Palm Springs and San Francisco to sightsee and dine at different restaurants.

Career Highlights:

• Culinary Competitor and 1st Place Winner of The Next Golden Chef Award in 2013 and awarded $25,000 scholarship
• Has been highlighted in several publications such as The San Diego Tribune, Modern Luxury, and Eater as an Executive Pastry Chef

Barbara Arvia

Event Coordinator

Specialization: Located at the Faculty Club. Barbara functions as a true event coordinator; booking the event space, providing the layout, working on all logistics as well as the culinary experience.

Barbara joined the Saltaire Catering Team in February 2025, bringing over twenty years of hospitality, catering, marketing and sales experience. Previously, she worked in a local Five-Star Resort facilitating weddings and upscale social events, as well as coordinated marketing initiatives and community outreach events to introduce established restaurant brands to the San Diego market.

Barbara is passionate about relationship building and providing excellent customer service, focusing on the importance of every detail to create an “unforgettable experience” for the client. She is a foodie and loves fine dining and good wine. Fun hobbies include interior decorating, fashion, hiking, coastal bike rides, and traveling. Spending time with family and friends makes her heart happy.