Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan Ravenski.
Hi Ivan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
started working in restaurants over a decade ago, beginning in entry-level front-of-house roles and gradually moving into more senior positions. Over the years, I gained experience across many sides of the industry—service, management, menu development, catering, and operations—learning how restaurants and events actually function in real-world conditions, not just in theory.
My approach to food and hospitality is strongly influenced by my Croatian background, where hospitality is rooted in generosity, craftsmanship, and taking pride in feeding people well. That cultural foundation, combined with hands-on experience in high-volume service and event catering, shaped how I think about food as both a craft and a service.
After more than ten years in the industry, I decided to open my own company to apply everything I had learned into a catering-focused business I could build and grow myself. Today, my work reflects that experience—blending operational discipline, flexibility, and cultural hospitality to create food experiences that are both efficient and personal.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path has not been completely smooth. One of the biggest challenges was navigating permits, licensing, and regulatory requirements, especially while building a catering operation that needed to be flexible across different venues and event types. Learning how to comply with local regulations while still operating efficiently required time, research, and persistence.
Operationally, there were also challenges in refining systems, staffing, and workflows to ensure consistency and reliability at scale. Like many growing businesses, it took trial, adjustment, and hands-on problem solving to turn experience into repeatable processes.
Over time, those challenges became learning opportunities. Through persistence and adaptability, everything came together into a smoother, more organized operation, creating a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Jadran Catering specializes in live-fire, on-site event catering that is as much a visual experience as it is a dining service. We focus on cooking food fresh in front of guests—using fire, high-heat equipment, and efficient prep systems—to create energy, interaction, and quality that go beyond traditional catering.
Our menus draw from a wide range of influences, including Mediterranean and Balkan traditions, while remaining adaptable to different event types, crowd sizes, and venues. What sets us apart is our ability to combine strong operational discipline with creativity and showmanship, delivering food that feels personal, dynamic, and well executed even in high-volume environments.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of building a catering company that balances craftsmanship with flexibility. Jadran Catering is known for being reliable, engaging, and adaptable—creating memorable food experiences while maintaining the professionalism and structure needed to run events smoothly.
What makes you happy?
Making others happy through food and hospitality. Creating experiences where people feel welcomed, cared for, and genuinely enjoy themselves is deeply fulfilling to me. Seeing guests connect over a shared meal, relax, and appreciate the effort behind the service is what makes the work meaningful and keeps me motivated.
Pricing:
- Pizza catering for 75 people $3200
- Pizza catering for 150 $4500
- Grill catering(Balkan style) 20 people $2800
- Street taco catering 20 people $2800
- Peka traditional Croatian barbecue $100 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jadrancatering.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jadrancatering
