University of Houston Dining Services welcomes Shannon Church as the new catering director of Catering on Cullen.

Church will oversee the entire catering department, including the banquet and sales managers, chef and all personnel. She will provide creative direction for all event setups and ensure that all events run smoothly. She also will oversee menu development.

"I want to build our customer base and exceed the expectations that our current customers have," said Church of her plans for the department. "I want us to be the best and most preferred caterer for the University of Houston."

She enjoys thinking outside the box and using unconventional ideas for catering displays and food concepts.

"Shannon is a great addition to the UH catering team," UH Dining Services HR Manager Curtis Snell said. "She brings more than 10 years of professional experience to her role and has made an immediate contribution through her ability to build and develop the team."

Shannon is an expert at managing bustling catering kitchens, most recently as the front of house catering director at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. Her years of experience and signature style ensure that all events run smoothly and will be remembered by guests for their excellence. Church has worked with great professionals who have prepared her for her new role.

"I have been very lucky to work with some great chefs and managers that have made me think outside the box and stay ahead of the trends," she said. "I have taken that mentality everywhere I go."

Church is a graduate of Temple University in Philiadelphia, where she received a bachelor's degree in tourism and hospitality management.