OUR TEAM
TESS ARNTSEN
Executive Chef and Culinary Director, Flavor Goddess, Salty
Tess has a degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. She is classically French trained and honed her craft in New Orleans, and then New Haven. She loves big bold flavors and thinks food should be thoughtful, beautiful, and delicious. Hopefully through food, she can create happy memories and moments. Besides cooking, Tess loves UCONN Basketball, her boxer Kemba, and New Haven.
RACHEL HICKS
Sous Chef
Rachel Hicks is 22 years old and born and raised in Hamden, CT. She always had a passion for food since she was young. She trained and graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and has worked in restaurants ever since. Her favorite food is fresh pasta and she LOVES chocolate. She believes that if you’re doing something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
MAGDALENA MAHONEY
Catering Coordinator
Magdalena originally grew up in Long Island and spent her childhood traveling and eating delicious food along the way. She has worked with various catering companies since college, and her love of food, hospitality, and organization is evident at every step along the way at our events, from planning to execution. She lives in Fairfield County with her husband and four children. Her favorite happy place is sitting on the beach or by the pool with family and friends (with cocktail in hand, of course).
KAREN LENAHAN
Owner, Creative Director, Chief Cookie Maker
Karen started SKBT twelve years ago in her attic apartment kitchen, inspired by her love of food and desire to host beautiful, connective, and creative events. She lives in New Haven with her partner Alex, and daughters - almost nine-year-old Emi, and two-year-old Asa. When she's not baking, planning and designing events, or happy dancing through the kitchen after tasting whatever the kitchen is cooking up, she is hanging with her three favorite humans, most likely in sweatpants. Karen fiercely believes in and supports women-owned businesses, in and around New Haven County. Her goal always is to make people feel loved, seen, and of course - well-wined and dined.
JOIN OUR TEAM
SKBT is always on the lookout for talented, hard working, and fun loving people who are just as passionate about food and hospitality as we are. Kitchen staff, servers, delivery and set up staff… you name it. Interested? Hit us up via the contact page to start the conversation.
