Rob has almost 40 years of restaurant and catering experience under his belt. Rob started working in the industry as a teenager and went on to the world-renowned Cornell University School of Hotel Administration where he concentrated in Catering Operations and Wine & Beverage Management.

 

Professionally, Rob has worked at Abigail Kirsch Catering and Club Car Catering and Monroe Bagel & Deli Catering as well as at TriBeCa Grill and Candela & The Diner in New York City, The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern, Le Petit Chateau in Bernardsville, NJ, along with Caruso’s Tuscan Grill and Vale Restaurant in Bergen County, NJ. Rob has also owned his own BBQ restaurant in Washingtonville as well as working for TGI Fridays and Applebee’s and other establishments.

Rob has created and managed Wine Spectator award-winning wine lists and beverage programs at various establishments. In 2015, Rob started Rob’s Kitchen Caravan, a private chef/off-premise catering company to serve the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas. 

 

Illisa Lipkin, Rob’s wife, is a chef and co-owner of Rob’s Kitchen Caravan. Illisa grew up in a food family. Her paternal grandfather was in the poultry business. Her maternal grandfather was a butcher. Her mom ran a food co-op and became the Executive Director of the Hunts Point Produce Market in NYC. Her Dad, a proud New Englander, taught her how to fish and gave her an enduring love of fish and the ocean. Her kitchen training is ongoing. Illisa is always in the kitchen honing her skills and creating new recipes. She has learned from talented chefs, whom she has had the privilege of working with, in the Hudson Valley. She specializes in fish, breads, pasta, Vegetarian, and Gluten-free options. She dabbles in desserts as well. Her gratitude to do what she loves and her passion for seasonal, local ingredients makes her dishes delicious. 

 

Together Illisa and Rob plan and execute large and small events. They custom tailor each event to fit the vision and needs of their clients.  

 

Your event is Rob & Illisa’s top priority.  Enjoy your company.  We have everything else covered. 

 

Rob's Kitchen Caravan can provide all of your catering needs handling parties large and small, from weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs to intimate dinners for two in the comfort of your home and anything in between. Brunches, BBQs, Family Dinner packages, Thanksgiving Dinner packages, Charcuterie Boards, Weekend Snack foods - you name it, Rob’s Kitchen Caravan can accommodate you.

Rob is also available for Santa Appearances, be it Santa meet & greets/photo ops to a special Christmas Eve house visit by Santa.

Rob’s Kitchen Caravan won the Best of Hudson Valley 2024 award for Best Wedding Caterer and is a preferred or house caterer at Mountain Lake Park in Warwick, Waterbury Pines Airbnb in Warwick,

        The Rushmore Estates in Highland Mills, Hudson Valley Luxury Resorts, Apex Brewery in Monroe, and Monroe Temple.