She studied international economic diplomacy; however, after a while, she realised that due to her nationalities, her dream job as a diplomat would be a mission impossible.

During her school years, she also realised that she loved working with people instead of numbers. So she started her hospitality career 20 years ago.

Over the two decades, she had the opportunity to work in Michelin Star restaurants and travel all over the world. Kata lived and worked in different countries and different cultures from the UK to Dubai.

From the beginning, her aim was to learn all about high-end hospitality from the best in the world. For this reason, she stepped back in her career several times and started almost from scratch a few times, because she knew that it would ‘pay back’ later and as time proved it, she was right.

She was able to work with Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth and Gordon Ramsay - only a few names from the hospitality business.

Thanks to these experiences, she worked for the most successful luxury five-star hotel chains. She had many opportunities to organise parties and events for different kinds of people and learn the tricks from the best.

Based on these experiences, she decided to establish her own company in 2017, providing high-quality assistance by organising events. With their exceptional services, they create unforgettable moments for the clients.

With Luxury Project Events, her aim was to show that nothing is impossible if one wants to do quality work; it all just depends on knowledge, humility and hard work.

Kata is a firm believer that all the best things come from the heart! One just needs to believe and work to achieve the goals set. At her company, they believe in quality work. From small intimate gatherings to large lavish affairs, they are offering magical experiences to their clients.

Due to this mentality, their regular customers include expats from Budapest, but they also have clients from Hollywood or Hong Kong.

Thanks to the years that she spent in the Middle East, she got to know and gained insight into the Arabic and Indian cultures, so her company also organised destination weddings in Budapest. For the team at Luxury Project Events, the satisfied client is the most important.

Company services include the initial consultation, plan-making and organising the full occasion, and they cover all the aspects one needs to have a memorable and personalised, tailor-made event.

1. Where did you grow up?
I was born in Transylvania. I grew up there and in Hungary. I was 14 when my parents decided to move to Hungary, but I did not stop here, a couple of years later I decided to move again: that time to Cornwall (UK).

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
That's a difficult question! I lived in the UK for almost seven years, and I’ve spent a lot of time in Dubai. I loved them both, and I have so many favourite places. At this point, I would say Italy.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
I did it several times and what I missed the most was my family.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Walk and discover this amazing treasure box. From Parliament to Chain Bridge, from the bridge to the Castle. Budapest by night is a must-see. So take a boat trip and have dinner on it. That is a win-win situation; you will get an unforgettable visual- and gastro experience. Trying the Hungarian wines is a must.

5. What is your favourite food?
Steak MR because of my English lifestyle, töltött káposzta (Stuffed Cabbage) and French Toast, but only the way my parents prepare it.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
It is not so girly and not so fancy either, I know, but for me, it's boxing.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
It’s hard to choose. If I have to choose, I pick places which are not only my favourites but are also excellent wine regions: Villány and Somló.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I’ve basically been pursuing a new career since 2017 when I established Luxury Project Events, my own event planner company. Previously, I worked in high positions in the hospitality business in the five-star hotel sector. Since that time, I decided to convert all the knowledge from the high-end hospitality to do high-end events, I do have clients from all over the world, from Japan to Hollywood.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Doctor, I do not have a good relationship with blood.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Ljubljana, that was a long weekend before Covid-19.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Hopefully, in Italy. We wanted to revisit our favourite Italian places to celebrate our anniversary. Let’s see when and how they will open the borders.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I know I should say Backstreet Boys, like everybody at that time in my age, but my favourites were: Queen and Modern Talking.
My favourite film was the Dead Poets Society. As for hobby, I've played the violin since I was 5.

13. Apart from temptation, what can't you resist?
Good food and wine pairing. I love to eat, and I love good coffee.

14. Red wine or white?
Champagne. Does it count? :-)

15. Book or movie?
Book, but I would rather say both.

16. Morning person or night person?
Night person for sure, thanks to the hospitality business.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Children's diseases and children in need.

18. Buda or Pest side?
Buda at daytime, Pest at night-time.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
Thanks to my upbringing, I have always been able to adapt, learn and assimilate to a given situation quickly. With this ability, I can do what I love, event planning with Luxury Project Events (my own business).

With this, I can visit places or meet people (diplomats, politicians, actors, businessmen) that I just dared to dream of as a child.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I'll give you two of my favourite quotes:
1. ”Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile.” - Buddha

2. ”All life, all incarnations, is all about experience and development. Every action you take has consequences, just as you have the aftermath of not doing something. Everything what surrounds you, everything you experience serves a purpose, to develop yourself. To become a more mature and wiser soul.”- Robert Lawson


Interview text proofread by Szilvia Molnár, a professional freelance writer, travel expert, mom of two, and admitted coffee addict. Though not necessarily in that order. Connect with her on LinkedIn or read about her latest travel experiences on the Exploration Lounge website.