Lauren Hughes, Director of Private Dining & Catering

Lauren, originally from a small town near Reading, Pennsylvania, discovered her passion for the hospitality industry at a young age. Her journey began at 14 with a role at a retirement home, where she realized her true calling was taking care of others. She then honed her skills serving at a local family-owned Italian restaurant, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in organizing large parties and events within the fine dining sector. This early exposure to the industry, coupled with her love for engaging with new people, fueled her enthusiasm for a career in hospitality.

Lauren's career trajectory continued to rise as she worked at prestigious establishments, reinforcing her commitment to excelling in this field. Her pursuit of formal education took her to Penn State, where she majored in Multimedia Studies with a minor in Sports Studies in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. At Penn State, Lauren was an active member of the Kappa Delta sorority, taking on leadership roles in philanthropic efforts. Notably, she played a key role in organizing the Girl Scouts Games, a fundraising event where Greek life members competed in various tournaments to support the Girl Scouts of America.

Lauren’s dedication to community service extended to her participation in THON, Penn State's 46-hour dance marathon. Working with her Communications committee from September through February, she ensured effective communication procedures were in place, contributing to the impressive $11 million raised for children with cancer. Her commitment to fundraising continued as she organized and hosted community-oriented events with fellow Greek organizations.

In the summer of her senior year, Lauren seized an exciting opportunity to join The Federal, a newly opened restaurant in Rehoboth Beach led by Chef Todd Gray and Ellen Kassoff. Her enthusiasm and talent quickly became evident, and she excelled beyond her role as a server, contributing to catering, private dining, and managerial tasks.