About Potomac 18

At Potomac 18, we know that successful events don’t happen by themselves – we believe that there is a true art to entertaining. Our team has come together to masterfully orchestrate each event to its fullest potential. At Potomac 18, your wishes are ours.

 

The Team

Chef Andrew DeGroot

Executive Chef

Chef DeGroot comes to Potomac 18 after four years as the Executive Chef at Wolfgang Puck Catering in Los Angeles, California.  Classically trained in the United States, France, Germany and Austria, Chef DeGroot has a reputation for creating cutting edge cuisine, while maintaining the absolute highest standards. At Potomac 18, Chef DeGroot, is dedicated to sourcing the highest quality of ingredients to develop customized menus as he cooks with the seasons. He is dedicated to the notion that kosher supervision does not affect how great food should look and taste.

Chef Gustavo Escalante

Executive Pastry Chef

Joining DeGroot in the kitchen is Executive Pastry Chef, Gustavo Escalante. Also from Los Angeles, Escalante spent 10 years at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and Wolfgang Puck Catering. Prior to that, Escalante formed his pastry roots at Citrus with Michel Richard and L.A.’s famous La Brea Bakery. Together, DeGroot and Escalante are the ultimate pairing for Potomac 18.

Dina Silnicky

Account Executive

With 20 years of experience in event planning and catering, Dina joins Potomac 18 as a highly respected event professional. Formerly a top producer in sales at Ridgewells, Dina has orchestrated high-profile corporate and social events, serving many of the Washington’s most prestigious clients. Her passion for food combined with a wealth of knowledge of logistics and the best local suppliers ensures that each event is executed to perfection.

Abby Sussman

Vice President

Abby has more than 20 years of experience producing large and multifaceted social and corporate events. Abby is an expert in event operations, logistics, beverage service, equipment rental and delivery. As the former Vice President of Operations at Foremost Caterers, she was instrumental in organizing and executing the most exciting and complicated kosher events in the New York Metropolitan area and in the country. At Potomac 18, Abby insures that all of the links in the chain of service are connected and aligned for your success.

Rabbi Yisroel David Bacharach

President & CEO

Rabbi Bacharach has more than 18 years of experience in the industry. With an intimate knowledge of kashering procedures the Rabbi has directed and facilitated the production of kosher events at luxury event venues, cruise ships and at private homes.  He continues to advise chefs on kosher menus and educates both front and back of the house staff on kosher cuisine and execution. He has worked closely with both food service providers and equipment vendors to make each and every event a success.