About Mystic Yachting Club

A great event begins with an expert team! Meet the talented team behind the scenes at Mystic Yachting Club.

Meet Our Team

Ariana - DOC

Ariana
Puma

Event Specialist & Catering Sales
Ariana is a California girl, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up so close to wine country, she began her journey in the hospitality industry 14 years ago with Plumpjack Wineries in Oakville, California. During that time, while studying business administration at the University of San Francisco, she fine-tuned her skills in management, leadership, and business. From CA, Ariana moved to NYC and began working for Michelin Star Restauranteur & Chef, Charlie Palmer. She worked with Chef Charlie Palmer for nearly 3 years, assisting with the growth of his beverage program, and opening his flagship Charlie Palmer Steak in New York. Following Charlie Palmer Steak, she began working with Aldo Sohm, winner of the presitigious "Best Sommelier in America", organizing events at this brand-new booming midtown wine bar. She recently moved to Mystic, Connecticut and combined her love for creating special events and great food. When she’s not working, you can find her experimenting and cooking interesting recipes, fishing, at the playground with her stepson, or hiking the many trails of Connecticut with her two mutt pups, Harri & Jameson.

Christopher Watson

General Manager
Chris has extensive front and back of house experience in a wide array of exciting New England hospitality establishments—from Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Providence, RI, to Chardonnay’s in Seekonk, MA, to The Martucci Group in East Greenwich, RI. Juggling every position from wine manager to general manager to executive chef in both casual and fine dining atmospheres, Chris has literally seen and done it all with finesse at every level of the restaurant business. He’s also taken part in charitable events like Chefs for a Cause and garnered favorable reviews in the Ventura County Star and Ventura Life & Style magazine.

Dennis
Anderson

Executive Chef
Dennis is a versatile and creative chef with a passion for fine dining and luxe resort experiences. Throughout his dynamic career, this U.S. Navy veteran has gained extensive experience in planning and executing banquets, weddings, hands-on wine dinners, and other immersive events through positions at various high-profile New England employers — from The Spa at Norwich Inn to the Flood Tide Restaurant at The Inn at Mystic and Hartford Healthcare. In addition, Dennis took part in and embraced the philosophy of a Farm to Chef Program that focuses on inventive menus that draw on the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients available.