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 chef and co-owner of Rob’s Kitchen Caravan. Illisa has been working alongside Rob since the inception and has honed her skills working with her talented husband, as well as, chefs from Promenàde Senior Living and Adams Fairacre Farms. Illisa is currently Assistant to the Master Bread Baker at North Wind Bread Company in Middletown. She is skilled in lamination and shaping of croissant dough and danish dough. She cooks with gratitude and joy. She assists Rob with the cooking and does the baking. She brings her experience and knowledge of gluten-free, Vegetarian, and Vegan cuisine. Illisa manages the kitchen for larger events. Together she and Rob plan and execute large and small events that are custom-tailored to the needs of their clients.

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 is a preferred or house caterer at Mountain Lake Park in Warwick, Waterbury Pines Airbnb in Warwick,

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