About us

Eco Caters Mission Statement

Eco Caters is dedicated to providing the highest quality catering with handcrafted foods made 100% from scratch while minimizing our impact on the environment. We do so primarily by using local organic food bought from farms and ranches that raise produce and animals in a sustainable and humane way. We work directly with the farms to guarantee a very high quality and fresh product that is sourced right here in Southern California. We also maintain the highest level of service at every event to ensure that your guests can enjoy the food and company let us take care of all the details. We can provide catering services only or you use our full service event and wedding coordinators to help you plan your entire event from start to finish.

Eco Caters: Champions of Quality Organic Produce

At Eco Caters, our top priorities are the quality of our food and the satisfaction of our customers. In order to provide the highest standard of food quality, we uphold the following criteria when selecting all of our produce, meat and seafood:

Organic – Everything we buy is organic (pesticide free) and has been raised or grown without the use of hormones or chemicals. As a result, our food tastes and looks better – we guarantee you will enjoy the difference.

Fresh – Our products come straight from the farm to your plate, ensuring both freshness and fullness of flavor.

Local – We source our products from local California farmers to guarantee freshness and to minimize drive time. We make it a priority to visit the farms, to meet the farmers and to see exactly where our products are coming from – with love and care directly from our kitchens to you.

Seasonal – Because our products come from local farmers, everything we serve is seasonal: this provides the highest quality produce at just the right time of the year.

Taste – We taste everything raw before we buy it, and again before serving to ensure the most unique flavors and the very best quality.

Chef Nicholas Brune, Co-Founder of Eco Caters

Chef Nicholas Brune was born and raised in the heart of “flavor country,” Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he began cooking and experimenting with food at a very young age. This hobby grew to be an obsession when he moved to New Orleans, and began working at Mr. B’s Bistro. After working for the Brennen Family for two years, Chef Brune became infatuated with the flavor and design of food.

Chef Brune then moved to Los Angeles to assume the role of head chef at Kai’s European Catering where he had full responsibility for coordinating all aspects of the kitchen at the Esquire Magazine events for 3 months. He quickly discovered his passion for catering private events of all sizes and budgets. Adding to his already burgeoning resume, Chef Brune introduced his personal chef skills and talents to a wide array of clientele, including celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. Today, Chef Brune has dedicated his talents to creating artful, seasonal, organic dining experiences that are full of flavor and zest.

Adam Hiner, Co-Founder of Eco Caters

Adam Hiner is the co-founder of Eco Caters, bringing with him his love for food and his experience in the world of business. Adam was raised on an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern and southern cooking. He learned Middle Eastern recipes from his grandmother, who would spend all day preparing food for the whole family to sit down and enjoy. On the other side, family reunions at Hiner’s grandparent’s farm in Virginia spoke to the development of his taste for real “southern cookin’.” His father’s organic garden was his first introduction to organic foods; here, he grew potatoes, tomatoes, kale, jalapeno peppers and much more. His move to Southern California brought a whole new way of life, including even more of an inclination towards healthy, organic foods.

In business, Hiner has helped to develop and build multiple companies. Since the move to Southern California, he has helped launch a unique online mortgage company as well as a valet company. He also works as a consultant to other companies and start-ups. In addition to these ventures, he is an avid real estate investor in both residential and commercial projects. Adam’s passion for food and his experience with business development has formed a unique partnership with Executive Chef Nicholas Brune, whose long time tenure in the food service industry makes this duo as extraordinary as the events they cater.

Emily Brune, Senior Event Coordinator at Eco Caters

Emily brings high energy and excitement to Eco Caters team that really shines through at the events.  It all started back at the University of South Carolina where she holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Psychology and also where she met Adam Hiner, the now Co-Founder of Eco Caters.  At that time, Emily was working in restaurants to pay her college expenses.  Unknowingly she was beginning her catering career.  Being employed at various establishments such as casual and fine dining at the same time she was able to get the feel for Front of The House service and accustomed to different types of cuisine at a young age.

After college Emily moved to Los Angeles with Nick Brune (co-founder of Eco Caters) and eventually they married just before Nick and Adam launched Eco Caters.  In Los Angeles, she continued to enhance her event coordination skills by gaining employment at a very busy upscale corporate restaurant.  Here she became a Server Trainer and held the position of Head Server.  Throughout her experience she progressed with her management and communication skills in the catering field.   She, along with a team of servers and management, planned and executed large weddings and events.  Next, she found work at a more upscale boutique restaurant closer to home where she attained a much greater knowledge of fine dining.  At this restaurant is where she met Michelle Rodriguez.  As Eco Caters got busier and busier, Emily was spending less and less time at the restaurant and eventually was spending 100% of her time working for Eco Caters.  She is now fully running the Los Angeles Coordination Division with the assistance of Michelle Rodriguez.   Now, working alongside her husband and long-time friends, Emily has found her place in the food industry and could not be more thrilled.

Michelle Rodriguez-Becker, Senior Event Coordinator at Eco Caters

Michelle comes to Eco Caters with over 15 years of Event Coordination and Hospitality Management. Her career began in Florida where she planned and executed private events in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and remote cities on the Gulf. She decided to broaden her scope by moving to New York to begin her corporate experience bringing employees of various firms together for luncheons, intimate gatherings and milestone celebrations. Returning to Fort Lauderdale, where her parents reside, she was able to marry her love of private and corporate event planning by becoming the executive assistant of a high profile individual. In this position she was privileged enough to entertain extraordinarily themed parties and extravaganzas.

When her brother, who has been living in the Los Angeles area for over 20 years, suggested bringing her talents to California, she did not hesitate for a moment. At first arrival in California in 2005 she strengthened her corporate experience by joining a global accounting firm. With this firm, she had the pleasure of coordinating events in places all over the west coast including Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego, Irvine, Hawaii, and of course Los Angeles. Next, Michelle ventured to Manhattan Beach where she managed and ran events for a modest restaurant. Many of these events and weddings took place at their Santa Barbara location in a small town called Los Olivos, where Michelle fell in love with weddings. Here she is now, with Eco Caters and loving every minute. Being surrounded by enthusiastic, adventurous and creative people that inspire and delight, which is what Michelle brings to every Eco Caters event.

Dana Strommen, Event Coordinator at Eco Caters

A passionate foodie from Minneapolis, MN, Dana has a diverse background that lends itself to the unique and inspirational philosophy of Eco Caters. Her background comes from the marketing world where she worked for an advertising agency in Colorado as an Account Executive handling all client relations and promotional marketing. Never one to ignore her heart and passion, she returned back to Minneapolis (her hometown) to attend culinary school at The Art Institute of Minneapolis. During school she expanded her knowledge in sustainable food issues and respect for the local/organic food movement by working at Whole Foods Market teaching culinary classes and catering her own events around the Twin Cities area.

After graduation, the world felt like her oyster, with so much to share and experience in the culinary world! Where better to enjoy fresh, local, sustainable and organic cuisine than California! She has joined the Eco Caters team with experience, excitement and a hunger to bring Eco Caters to the mouths and hearts of all Californians!

Catherine Poole, Event Coordinator at Eco Caters

Catherine brings a wealth of experience and excitement to the Eco Caters team. Her passion for event management and design was developed in college where she received a degree in Recreation Management. Combining this passion with her love for the environment led her to Eco Caters.

Over the past few years, Catherine has gained experience working within the wedding and event industry at large upscale hotels. Moving to San Diego brought new opportunity as she has always dreamed of helping people plan unique and custom events from start to finish. By joining the team at Eco Caters she has made that dream a reality. Catherine is dedicated to helping each and every client plan the event of their dreams.