Heidi Moorman Coudal is the founder of Big Delicious Planet, the Chicago-based catering company she led for 31 years, growing it from backstage rock-and-roll catering into one of the country’s most respected sustainable hospitality brands.

Raised in an Air Force family, Heidi spent part of her childhood living in Germany and Greece and traveling extensively with her family. Those early experiences — immersed in different cultures, flavors, and traditions — shaped her lifelong belief that food is one of the most powerful and enjoyable ways to connect people. Her mother inspired that passion, exposing her to global cuisine and the joy of gathering people around the table.

Heidi launched Big Delicious Planet in 1994, initially catering backstage for legendary bands like Aerosmith and other rock icons. From feeding crews and artists behind the scenes to producing elegant weddings and corporate celebrations for some of the world’s most recognized people and brands, she built a company known for creativity, delicious food, and an incredible team.

In 2012, she established Chicago’s first caterer-operated urban farm, integrating agriculture directly into hospitality and redefining what sustainable catering could look like. Over the next decade, the farm became the heart of the company — a place where guests could be transported to Napa Valley or Tuscany for a few magical hours in the middle of the city.

Heidi has always loved nothing more than making her guests happy — whether welcoming them backstage at a massive concert or hosting an intimate dinner among the raised beds and string lights of the farm. While her role evolved from chef to creative director and sustainability leader, she never lost her hands-on spirit or her love of producing beautiful experiences.

Outside of her professional life, Heidi enjoys gardening, tending her beehives, rearranging furniture, discovering new hiking trails in Wisconsin, practicing yoga, cooking, playing Scrabble, and traveling whenever she can. She is the proud mother of three grown children who continue to inspire her.

Heidi’s next chapter is a hospitality & sustainability advisory guiding organizations toward more elevated guest experiences and smarter environmental practices. She brings founder-level insight, operational expertise, and a proven track record of building a nationally recognized sustainable hospitality brand.