Meet Our Team
The Team Behind Pearl Lemon Cafe
Catering Team
Mel – Head of Catering
Mel leads all catering and event activity at Pearl Lemon Cafe, managing each booking from the first enquiry through to on-site delivery. She oversees menu planning, scheduling, supplier coordination, and event paperwork to ensure every booking runs as planned and aligns with client requirements.
Her background covers a broad mix of events, including brand launches, corporate gatherings, weddings, and children’s celebrations. She has supported events for well-known organisations such as WWE, Vodafone, KPMG, Adidas, and Just Eat.
In addition to event operations, Mel supports commercial growth by overseeing key client relationships and introducing suitable group services across SEO, PR, and commercial cleaning. Her approach focuses on long-term working relationships and positioning Pearl Lemon as a dependable, multi-service events partner.
Catherine – Event Catering Lead
Catherine oversees the daily delivery of event catering operations, ensuring food preparation, presentation, and service align with agreed standards and client expectations. She coordinates closely with kitchen teams, front-of-house staff, and event organisers to manage run sheets, service timings, and staff allocation across each booking.
Her role includes supervising on-site execution, responding to live event requirements, and ensuring service flows smoothly from setup through breakdown. Catherine’s attention to detail supports consistency across corporate events, private functions, and larger-scale bookings, helping maintain quality regardless of event size or format.
Payal – Event Operations Director
Payal directs end-to-end event operations across the Canadian portfolio. She converts client objectives into structured execution plans aligned with budgets, stakeholder expectations, and contractual milestones.
Her remit includes venue sourcing and negotiation, supplier procurement, cost control, production scheduling, compliance documentation, and risk mitigation. For corporate clients operating across provinces, she ensures liability insurance, food safety certifications, health and safety standards, and municipal permits are secured well ahead of event day.
Payal has delivered executive roundtables, product launches, investor briefings, industry networking forums, and high-capacity corporate functions throughout Canada. Each engagement is governed by milestone tracking, contingency planning, and defined performance benchmarks to maintain commercial control while protecting brand reputation.
About Deepak Shukla
Deepak Shukla is the founder of Pearl Lemon Cafe and leads the wider Pearl Lemon Group. He brings extensive experience in building and scaling specialist service businesses, applying structured processes and commercial focus to the catering operation. His interest in food-based experiences influences menu development and service expectations across events ranging from private dining to large corporate functions.
Alongside business development, Deepak places strong importance on wellness, community involvement, and consistent service delivery. This approach shapes the standards and working culture across Pearl Lemon Cafe.