Our Team
Austen Falls
Austen Falls is the culinary force behind Bricolage Catering, his approach to food is both deeply technical and profoundly creative. As Co-Owner and Culinary Director, he shapes menus that honor seasonality, artistry, and a sense of place, crafting immersive dining experiences that exceed the ordinary. A graduate of the legendary Le Cordon Bleu, Austen’s classical training provided the foundation for his work in some of the world’s most respected kitchens. His career has spanned Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hospitality, and high-end catering, giving him a rare ability to merge the ethos of fine dining with the adaptability required for large-scale events.
He began his journey at Oak Avenue Catering in Napa Valley, where he mastered the art of high-quality, farm-driven catering. From there, he stepped into the world of Michelin dining at SingleThread in Healdsburg, one of the world's top 50 restaurants. Here he worked alongside some of the most innovative chefs in hospitality helping them achieve three Michelin stars. In 2019, Austen moved to the Monterey Peninsula, joining Post Ranch Inn, an icon of luxury hospitality known for its three Michelin Keys and breathtaking Big Sur setting. He fell in love with Central California’s rugged coast, deepening his appreciation for hyper-local ingredients and sustainable sourcing. Austen then took the helm as Chef de Cuisine at Maligne, where his leadership helped the restaurant earn a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its refined yet approachable cuisine. Most recently, he served as Sous Chef at Chez Noir, a Michelin-starred, James Beard-nominated restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, contributing to a menu celebrating California’s “coastal bounty”.
At Bricolage Catering, Austen applies his diverse experience to create bold, narrative-driven menus that balance technique with spontaneity. Whether he’s designing an intimate tasting menu or orchestrating a large-scale event, he approaches each gathering as a canvas.
Deborah Falls
Deborah—often known as Debbie or Deb—has had a remarkable journey shaped by discipline, creativity, and hospitality. Beginning her career in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic and electrician, she spent over two decades mastering precision and teamwork. Her path then took a creative turn, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and later pursued a Masters of Fine Arts, a journey that ultimately led her to the world of catering in the renowned Napa Valley.
Deb’s diverse background of structure and artistry shape her unique approach to hospitality. The precision of aviation, the creativity of the fine arts and a love for food, family and the outdoors blend to orchestrate a culinary experience that balances flavor, artistry and elegance.
Catherine Mulligan
Catherine Mulligan is a multifaceted creative whose work spans event production, experiential design, and mindfulness education. As a co-owner and studio artist at Bricolage, she oversees creative direction and guest experiences, bringing her longstanding passion for hand-crafted details to every project. From intimate rehearsal dinners to birthday galas, fundraisers, and weddings, Catherine has designed, planned, and executed memorable events across the Monterey Peninsula—including notable collaborations at Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur Bakery, and The Village.
Growing up, Catherine’s devotion to paper crafts and handmade art earned her the endearing family nickname Catherine Scissor Hands. Through encouragement from community and mentors, her creativity flourished and led to a celebrated illustration and design practice. Recently, Cat has designed menus and artwork for Maligne, Chez Noir Carmel, Soren West Studios, Big Sur Food & Wine, Esalen Institute, and Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust. Last year her illustrations were featured on the menus for Chez Noir’s Mes Amis dinner series, featuring culinary luminaries such as Dominique Crenn, Michael Tusk, and Chris Cosentino.
Cat also designs and produces menus and tabletop signage for Big Sur Food & Wine Foundation and serves on the marketing team of the BSFW Volunteer Committee. Beyond her artistic pursuits, she holds an E-RYT 500 YACEP designation through Yoga Alliance. Having trained in Savannah, Asheville, and San Francisco, she studied vinyasa yoga with speciality training in trauma-informed methodologies. Cat is also a trained seafarer; she holds an STCW certification from Blue Water Marine. Whether she's designing an experiential event with the team and collaborators or guiding a mindfulness session for the team, Catherine brings curiosity, artistry, and warmth to every endeavor.