Lisa Epstein has been Chef-Owner of Encore Catering since she founded the company in 1993. After graduating from the Hudson County Culinary Arts Institute, she bought a small storefront in Madison and converted it into a multi-million dollar business with a 13,000 square foot facility currently located in East Hanover, NJ.

 

Encore is recognized as a leader in the New Jersey catering industry and has been designated by the Morris County of Commerce as Caterer of the Year several years over.  For its stellar service, Encore also won the 2016 Gammon School Employer of the Year, and was a finalist for the 2015 Family Business of the Year and Achievement in Catering Excellence (ACE).  Encore’s success is built on Lisa’s entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and attention to detail, characteristics for which she has also received individual recognition.  Lisa was a finalist for the 2013 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners of NJ award and in 2010 she was inducted into the Montville High School Hall of Fame for entrepreneurial success. 

 

In addition to her business success Lisa has deep and lasting connections to NJY Camps, where she got her start working for John Salsberg.  She spent her childhood weekends at NJY Family Camps with her father, past president Phil Epstein. Lisa and her sisters, Laurie and Karen, are all former campers and staff of NJY Camps.  Since 2017, Lisa has been a board member of NJY Camps, twice serving as chair of the annual scholarship gala.  She consistently demonstrates her ongoing commitment to the camp by generously donating both time and funds. In 2019, Lisa spearheaded and funded a full renovation of the NJW dining facilities, which is now a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining facility to be enjoyed by the campers for years to come.