A Thoughtfully Curated Menu: From Private Jet Catering to an Intimate Orlando Gathering with Gloria & Emilio Estefan

Pearson’s Catering had the honor of creating a thoughtfully curated culinary experience for a truly special Orlando gathering hosted by Dan Newlin, featuring music legends Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan.

What made this experience unique wasn’t simply the guest list or the setting — it was the intention behind every detail. From the initial request for private jet catering on their flight from Miami to Orlando, the focus was on crafting food that felt personal, meaningful, and rooted in culture and comfort — elevated through thoughtful execution.

For Pearson’s, this moment reflected what we do best: delivering bespoke menus and seamless hospitality for private aircraft catering and intimate, high-profile gatherings where trust, discretion, and excellence matter.

The Experience Began in the Sky

The culinary journey began before guests ever arrived in Orlando. When Dan Newlin asked Chef Kim Pearson to curate a custom menu for Gloria and Emilio Estefan to enjoy aboard their charter flight from Miami to Orlando, the request called for more than a standard catering experience.

Private jet catering requires precision — carefully timed delivery, packaging suited for aircraft galleys, and menus designed to travel beautifully. But beyond logistics, this request carried emotional weight.

Chef Kim approached the private aircraft menu with care, drawing inspiration from Cuban heritage while elevating each element through refined presentation and balance. The intention was clear: create food that felt like home.

Warm. Familiar. Comforting.

Yet elevated enough to reflect the significance of the journey.

Prepared in Pearson’s Orlando kitchen and delivered seamlessly to the aircraft, the menu set the tone for what would follow — rooted in hospitality, connection, and thoughtful detail from ground to air.

Elevated Cuisine, Thoughtfully Curated

As Orlando’s trusted A-List caterer, Pearson’s Catering is known for creating culinary experiences that go beyond the plate. We understand that food plays a central role in how people connect, relax, and engage — especially in intimate or private settings.

For this experience, Chef Kim curated a menu that balanced bold flavors with approachability. The spread featured standout dishes including mofongo topped with ropa vieja and cilantro lime crema, delivering rich, comforting flavors layered with elegance. Alongside it, Chilean sea bass and shrimp ceviche paired with malanga fritas offered a lighter, refined contrast — bright, fresh, and beautifully balanced.

To conclude the meal, a thoughtfully composed dessert tray added a personal finishing touch. Flan, guava and cheese empanadas, and salted chocolate chip cookies brought together tradition and comfort, rounding out the experience with warmth and familiarity.

Every dish was crafted with intention, ensuring the menu felt cohesive, elevated, and effortless — whether enjoyed in the sky or on the ground.

Designed to Enhance the Moment

One of the hallmarks of Pearson’s Catering — whether providing private jet catering in Orlando or serving intimate gatherings — is the ability to enhance the moment without distracting from it.

Every detail, from menu pacing to presentation and service coordination, is designed to feel seamless.

For this experience, the culinary elements were intentionally understated yet memorable. Guests remained fully present, engaged in conversation and connection, supported quietly by food that felt both special and familiar.

This is the balance Chef Kim and her team bring to high-profile and private events across Central Florida: excellence without excess, sophistication without spectacle.

A Meaningful Orlando Gathering

Following their private flight into Orlando, Chef Kim and the Pearson’s team continued the experience on the ground, supporting Dan Newlin’s intimate gathering centered on connection and shared presence.

The evening brought guests together for thoughtful conversation and reflection. It served as a reminder that the most meaningful gatherings are not defined by scale, but by intention.

For Pearson’s Catering, it was an honor to contribute to an atmosphere that felt warm, welcoming, and grounded — supported quietly and confidently through food and service.

A Timely and Meaningful Moment

While Pearson’s Catering was honored to be part of this experience, the timing made the moment especially meaningful. Just days later, Gloria Estefan went on to earn a 2026 Grammy Award, adding another milestone to her legendary career.

Though the gathering itself was not connected to the Grammy celebration, it was a privilege to be part of a moment surrounding an artist whose influence extends far beyond music — touching culture, community, and generations of listeners.

Crafted with Care. Served with Purpose.

For Chef Kim Pearson and the Pearson’s Catering team, experiences like this reflect exactly what we strive to deliver: private jet catering executed with precision, intimate gatherings supported with discretion, and custom menus designed to feel both elevated and personal.

From private aircraft catering at Orlando Executive Airport and Orlando-area aviation facilities to corporate events and meaningful celebrations across Central Florida, Pearson’s approaches every experience with the same level of care and intention.

We are grateful to Dan Newlin for the opportunity to collaborate on such a meaningful Orlando gathering, and honored to have played a role in bringing people together through food, conversation, and connection — from the sky to the table.