“I whole heartedly recommend this terrific group of professionals.”
— Dana, San Juan Capistrano
Our clients tell us that they can see the passion we have for our jobs. We think that is what sets us apart – true passion for throwing parties!
Robert Jacobi
Founder
Robert Jacobi has spent his entire life surrounded by and immersed in hospitality. Robert grew up in Austria, and starting at the age of seven he helped his mother run her Bed and Breakfast– from washing dishes to cooking delicious Austrian breakfasts to taking care of the guests, Robert did it all! He refined his skills by attending Swiss Hotel School (Vieux Bois) while working at the Hotel-du-Rhone in Geneva. Robert’s list of talents and experiences reads like a fun round-the-world movie script:
Action and Adventure: He worked as skipper on sail boats as a teenager and later imported Warsteiner beer and German Chocolate into Greece.
Early Enlightenment: Graduated Boston University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He received a Hotel and Restaurant Management Degree from Le Cordon Bleu Academy, Pasadena.
Robert played in several rock bands and laid classical guitar tracks for film scores in Los Angeles. He’s a talented classically-trained guitarist who can shred it!
Robert’s experience managing restaurants at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, captaining banquets for Restaurant Associates at Dorothy Chandler Pavillion L.A., and learning the art of true Austrian hospitality as a kid motivated him to found Main Course California in 2008.
Service with Heart: Robert and his family have always been committed to giving back to the community. Robert is an active board member of Food Share Ventura.
Rachel Main
Executive Chef & Vice President
Rachel has two decades of fine dining and event experience, working for some of the most famous chefs in the country including Chef Thomas Keller and Chef John Besh. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts from Nicholls State University in South Louisiana. After college, Rachel worked as a private chef traveling the world, throwing lavish parties on yachts, on islands, in mansions…Finally Rachel moved back home to Ventura County, and she’s been cooking up great meals at Main Course California ever since. Not only is Rachel our Executive Chef; she is also is our go-to special events specialist, helping our clients stay in-the-know on new venues, culinary trends, and décor ideas.
What Inspires Rachel: The Los Angeles Wholesale Flower Markets. Traveling is one of my favorite ways to see ingredients used in creative new ways. I always come up with a few new menu items each time I travel!
Rachel’s recipe to die for: Our Famous Coffee & Brown Sugar Spice Grilled Tri Tip with my family’s recipe for Smoky Braised Collard Greens & Caramelized Onions. It’s the perfect fusion of California Wine Country Cuisine and South Louisiana Home Cooking – just like me!
What do you think is a party necessity? Great music can set the tone for your event instantly, especially during the welcome reception. You can make anyone feel at ease with an awesome groove, delightful, tasty passed hors d’ oeuvres, and a refreshing cocktail…A heartfelt “thank you” note after the party is always a nice touch, too!
Lindsay German
Co-Owner, Director of Operations
The best way to say it is like this: Lindsay keeps our company running. And not only does she run the business side of things; she also plans many of our weddings and corporate events. Lindsay is also our official taste tester of every new recipe because she is the “ultimate foodie” – traveling far and wide just to eat at amazing restaurants. Our corporate clients love her (probably because she has her MBA) and our brides adore her because she loves throwing a great reception. We feel we’re lucky to have her on our team, and you will too.
Fun Fact: Lindsay is also our resident cheese maker!
Inspirations: Visiting local farmers & artisan foods markets from LA, Santa Barbara, Ojai, Seattle and San Francisco
Cannot live without: CHEESE! I love discovering new cheeses and flavors and learning what they pair well with.
Favorite Event Detail: Fun and creative party favors! Some of my favorites are – samples from a groom’s vanilla extract business, fish-engraved glassware for a microbiologist couple, animal crackers place cards & bags of jelly belly’s with the couple’s faces on them. – So Fun!
Judy Taylor
Director of Special Events & Weddings
Born in Atlanta & raised in Chattanooga, TN, southern hospitality is in Judy Taylor’s blood. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Special Education. Judy attributes her love of food and wine to her years living in San Francisco and working at a five-star resort in Lake Tahoe. A move to Ventura led Judy to Main Course California where she has found a home with others who share her passion for all things food and wine. Judy is a First Level Certified Sommelier, and we encourage you to ask her for some excellent wine pairings.
We call Judy the Ultimate Listener, as she is able to hear what our clients want and create an event that is perfect for them. Among the many hats Judy wears, she’s also our in-house florist. Should you ever stop by our office you might walk-in to see tables full of local and international flowers being expertly assembled into gorgeous arrangements that will be used to make anyone’s special day that much more beautiful.
Judy gets inspiration from her daily runs on the beach, which is good because she is currently obsessed with small-batch butters from grass fed cows. It makes everything taste divine!
Anthony Sewell
Executive Sous Chef
Tony is the heart of our Culinary Department. We love him, and we know you will, too.
Tony was born and raised in Southern California and has always had a calling for the culinary field, cooking up traditional Japanese cuisine with his mother and adding a bit of southern flavor from his father’s side. It made perfect sense for him to become a chef, so he did what every California foodie must do. He moved to San Francisco where he graduated from the California Culinary Academy – Le Cordon Bleu. After working for some amazing chefs in San Francisco, Tony returned to Ventura County to become the Banquet Sous Chef for a top local Country Club, leading the weddings and special events department. Then we found him and begged him to work with us, and just like a good engagement story goes, he said, “yes!!!!”
We love Tony’s passion for creating exciting, flavorful food right from the farm. Want to know what is in season? Tony is our local farmer expert and can tell you what is growing that is delicious right now. We love seeing what unique and delicious local produce he discovers for us!
Karen Williams
Event Producer & Event Captain
Karen has her hands on every event Main Course CA does, literally!
She does the production on all of our events, and our clients can see the passion she has for ensuring each party looks great, that the décor is perfect, and that every detail is taken care of. Karen’s two decades of experience catering high-end events really shows when she is at the helm of our parties. Her favorite part of Captaining events at Main Course – “When at the end of the night, the bride comes up to me, gives me a big hug and says that it was even better than they dreamed! That always feels great!”
What is a party must-have? Lots of photos so you can share with your future generations the memories of a special day. And – great music! It’s the best way to get everyone in the right spirit!