Mary Catherine Deibel

2023

Culinary Community Champion Award

Mary Catherine began her career at the Cambridge restaurant Peasant Stock before opening Upstairs at the Pudding in the early 1980s with her business partners, Michael Silver and Deborah Hughes.

She immediately distinguished the utterly unusual restaurant as everyone’s preferred location for a special dinner, wedding, or graduation celebration thanks to her grace and vivacity as host.

She always greeted everyone at the entrance like a long-lost friend and ensured a warm and welcoming eating experience as if you were entering her home for a very special private gatherig.

Mary Catherine was active in the Cambridge and Harvard Square business areas, the arts community, and the hospitality industry while working in restaurants. She had an uncommon talent for networking and bringing others together.