meet the owners

the crusta is an LGBTQ-owned beverage & food catering company serving the greater chicagoland area. with over 10 years of hospitality experience, sebastian + benjamin are ready to cater your next event.

sebastian - mixology, food and beverage direction

sebastian is a mixologist that has been working in hospitality since he got his start at boston's cafe luna. in 2012, he completed his degree at berklee college of music and then moved to chicago where he was taken away by the city's rich culture of food and beverage. by 2014, he was working at the renowned cocktail bar, billy sunday. a haven for spirit and botanical exploration, billy sunday was where sebastian was able to develop knowledge related to everything flavor. with a deep understanding of herbs, spices, digestives, and fruit, sebastian uses a unique approach towards mixology at the crusta, harmoniously incorporating diverse specialty ingredients. working alongside his partner benjamin, sebastian also pairs the crusta's beverage experience with beloved chilean and south american dishes for events all over the chicagoland area.

benjamin - project management, operations, partnerships

benjamin started his professional journey at the university of kansas where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in business. soon after, he moved to chicago where he worked in a few strategic roles across the city's bustling corporate landscape. with a passion for building meaningful relationships and client service, he managed pivotal corporate accounts, tailoring and executing high-impact marketing campaigns for his customers. his expertise in project management came to the fore while working as a management consultant, where he fine-tuned processes, tackled challenges posed by mergers & acquisitions, and worked with clients daily to help them achieve their goals. at the crusta, benjamin applies his skills in operations, partnerships, and client relations to ensure every event is not just a celebration of taste but a testament to efficiency, reliability, and enjoyment.

  • the brandy crusta is one of the oldest cocktails, spanning centuries and going back to the industrial revolution. the company’s name was inspired by this to denote and emphasize the modern history of cocktail evolution, while providing traditional experiences with a unique twist — just like the drink itself.

  • we offer a variety of drinking experiences, ranging from custom craft cocktails, botanical + herbal mocktails to wine pairings and other elevated bar services. we combine these experiences with an eclectic array of cuisines from around the world. learn more about our services

  • complete our form or email benjamin@thecrusta.com when you’re ready to cheers your next event