Audra Bechtel
President

Audra is responsible for developing and overseeing organizational plans and strategies for the many different areas of the business. Audra was Bread & Chocolate’s very first employee, earning a quarter an hour helping her mom cater when the business first started. After college, Audra worked in banking and finance but later returned to the lovely city of Goshen to take over the family business from her parents. Audra is Bread & Chocolate’s fearless leader, cocktail maker extraordinaire and knows how to make us all love coming to work! When Audra isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and spunky daughter and renovating their adorable 20’s era home. 

Jama Yoder
Event and Marketing Manager

Jama first worked with us during her years at Goshen College as a kitchen assistant. Following her graduation, she’s lived and traveled to different parts of the U.S. and world following her love for art, good food, learning, and sustainable food systems. Her most recent adventure took her to upstate New York, working and learning at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. We are excited to have her back in Goshen 6 years later, using her skills in more than one area. Jama spends most of her time hanging out in the event office with Audra, planning and tracking details and discussing all things related to the best season - fall! When she’s not busy planning events, Jama continues to use her creative skills while heading up our social media and marketing projects. She loves working with her hands and focusing on the details, whether her creations end up on a plate, canvas, event or computer screen. Bread and Chocolate is so glad to have her back on the team!

Sarah Haser
Chef

Sarah is responsible for all of the delicious made from scratch food all guests consume at the events! Sarah comes to us from DC where she worked in the food industry following her graduation from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Sarah has many talents but one highlight is her ability to combine any ingredients, no matter how far fetched or random, into a gourmet staff lunch, and we love her for that. Together with her husband, Sarah manages their family farm and greenhouse in Goshen. Sarah is an avid cat lover and advocate, is especially fond of her chickens, and is the mother to a very active boy. 

Garrett Ahlgrim
Facilities Manager

Garrett does all of the set ups and makes sure that the third floor is looking great for your event! Garrett has been at Bread & Chocolate for a few years now, and currently holds the records for doing the most jobs here. Because he enjoys being involved at Bread & Chocolate so much, Garrett can also often be found helping with food preparation, serving, bartending, dishwashing, leading and whatever else we can think of! When he’s not at work, Garrett enjoys playing video games with friends and baking unique concoctions that he occasionally shares with us all here at Bread & Chocolate. With his always positive attitude and super friendly nature, we love having Garrett around full time!

Melissa Miner
Service & Bar Manager

Melissa hires and manages all of our amazing service staff and also handles all of the bar details. She worked for many years in social services before making a career change to the hospitality industry. She has worked at Bread & Chocolate as a server, bartender, and event lead prior to moving into her current position as service manager. Melissa’s favorite part of her job is seeing all of the details and planning on paper become a reality. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and reading.

Angela Nickell
Pastry Chef

Angela is our pastry chef who is responsible for all of the amazing homemade desserts we offer! She has had many years of experience in the food and service industry. Angela loves a good adventure and is big into CrossFit. Angela can take any idea that you may have for a dessert and turn it into reality! She does a phenomenal job and we are so thankful to have her on board to create the best desserts.

Lon Newburn
Sous Chef

Lon assists Chef Sarah with all meal preparation, kitchen and offsite event management. A Goshen native with a degree in Management & Finance from Purdue University, Lon has spent 15 years honing his hospitality and restaurant management skills in Chicago and Boston. Before joining Bread & Chocolate, he operated a small-batch distillery and owned a renowned craft cocktail supply company in Boston, influencing New England's cocktail scene and educating bartenders across the country. A passionate chef, Lon finds inspiration in traditional recipes and modern food trends. He loves creating exceptional dishes to help connect people and create lasting memories. Returning to his roots, Lon's expertise and culinary experience make him a solid addition to the Bread & Chocolate family, carrying on the tradition of impeccable service and excellent cuisine. When not in the kitchen, he enjoys working on vintage cars and motorcycles; playing tennis and pickleball.

Nick Bouwman
Bookkeeper

Originally from the Chicago Suburbs (let's go Bulls!), Nick has lived almost exclusively in Goshen since coming to Goshen College in 2006. The "almost exclusively" part includes living on a sustainable farm in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska, a farm in not-quite-the-middle-of-nowhere Illinois, the Netherlands, and Elkhart for 3 years. Nick’s favorite activities include playing basketball, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, running on local trails, biking around town, and backyard Crossfit. His favorite not-so-active activities include Sunday afternoon naps, movie watching, spider solitaire and … Freecell anyone? Nick has never owned a car, purchased a cell phone or computer, however he and his wife are the proud parents of two chickens, with more on the way. We enjoy having Nick on board part time!