Meet the Bleu Bite Catering Team

Cerstin Cheatham, Owner, Chef & Wedding Specialist

“I discovered my passion for entertaining in my mom’s kitchen,” reflects Cerstin Cheatham, creator, chef, and owner of Bleu Bite Catering. And those homey roots influence every aspect of Cerstin’s catering from her rustic fare, personalized service, and custom menus to her distinctive presentation of food and décor.

Always entertaining…

Cerstin grew up in Northern California, but in 1993 she packed two cats and all of her belongings into her little black Subaru and moved to Bend, Oregon. Her early days in Bend were filled with snowboarding, camping, and entertaining. Indeed, at every opportunity she threw parties for friends and family that included creatively themed menus, décor, and activities. Entertaining has always been in this self-taught cook’s blood, so no one was surprised the year Cerstin showed up for a Halloween party dressed as a punk-rock Martha Stewart!

Let the catering begin…

In 2000, Cerstin translated her passion for cooking, creating memorable events, and making people happy into a business—Bleu Bite Catering. In the beginning, Bleu Bite specialized in delivering fresh lunches to hungry working men and women and serving tasty food at local events. But Cerstin had a grander vision in mind, and she quickly transformed the business into a full-service catering company serving weddings, business luncheons, special events, and private parties.

Cerstin’s meticulous nature, hands-on approach, and passion for her work have made Bleu Bite what it is today. Nineteen years after its creation, Cerstin continues to work as chef as well as oversee the business’s day-to-day operations and kitchen management. In her efforts to stay sharp and on the cutting edge of catering, she also regularly attends professional seminars on cuisine, décor and design, and technique.

Not your typical catering company…

The fruit of Cerstin’s labor-of-love is a catering company that stands apart from others. Bleu Bite is socially conscious, donating $40K annually in food and services to shelters, non-profits, and fundraisers, purchasing free range and locally grown meat and produce, using compostable cups and utensils, composting kitchen waste, and recycling. Bleu Bite is also particularly distinctive in its personal approach to event planning. For every occasion Cerstin and her staff work one-on-one with clients to create a unique and memorable menu, plan décor, and customize staffing. With individualized attention to detail as the company’s cornerstone, Bleu Bite has won a reputation for hosting successful events that are fun and have flair.

Bleu Bite’s goal is for clients and their guests to be wowed by flavor and presentation, and this is surely something Cerstin and her staff achieve over and again.

Vivian Levi, Customer Service Manager

Vivian joined the Bleu Bite team in 2017, bringing with her a wealth of customer service experience and a culinary arts degree from Western Culinary Institute.

Vivian’s customer service role at Bleu Bite entails both engaging with customers and behind-the-scenes office work. No matter what task she’s performing, her goal is always to deliver warm, friendly customer service and ensure that the office runs smoothly. Vivian also keeps in the loop with new catering trends by attending the annual catering convention with Cerstin and other “Bleu Crew” team members.

While Vivian grew up in both Oregon and Arizona, she’s always at home when her family is nearby. Whether they’re playing pickleball, just being lazy, or geeking out on Star Wars, Vivian, her husband, and her son know how to make any moment a fun time.

Jasmyn Faulk, Wedding Coordinator

Jasmyn was born in Alaska… in a cabin, in the woods, with no running water. Seriously! She’d spent most of her life in the 49th state, but in 2009, she decided it was time for a new adventure. So, she packed up her belongings and moved to Oregon. Her first stop was Portland, for college. Then, five years later, Redmond.

She’d had a son, and she knew she wanted a simpler life for him. So, she found some property that backs up to the Deschutes River and settled in to live the country life. Imagine a rambunctious eight-year-old, two grandparents, seven dogs, four cats, two bunnies, two birds, twenty-five chickens (so far), endless outdoor activity and you have a glimpse into Jasmyn’s home life.

Jasmyn joined the Bleu Bite team four summers ago, first as a server and bartender and, eventually, as an event manager. Her work was meticulous yet efficient and cheerful; plus, she always went the extra mile to make sure everything was just right. So, when Cerstin created the In-House Party Coordinator position at Bleu Bite, she knew Jasmyn would be perfect for the job. She’d be able to enlist her 20 years of experience working in the food industry as a server, bartender, cook, and caterer, as well as her natural ability to focus on details, to make sure every Bleu Bite event was just right.

Jasmyn has always enjoyed working events, but she’s especially passionate about weddings. She loves “the love”—she calls herself a hopeful romantic—and she is determined to ensure that every couple’s special day is stress-free and exactly as they envisioned it.

Biographies Written By: Nimble Ink