About Us

Executive Sous Chef

Gel Zara is a distinguished culinary professional with extensive experience in world-renowned kitchens, including Restaurant Le Meurice by Alain Ducasse in Paris, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London, Le Restaurant at Maison Pic in Valence, Providence in Los Angeles, and Somni in Los Angeles. As the Executive Sous Chef at The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air, she oversees R&D, menu creation, payroll, scheduling, food cost monitoring, and manages 36 employees. Gel's background also includes roles at The Cabana Cafe and The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel. She holds a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu and a Bachelor's in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Executive Sous Chef

Chef Melissa is the Executive Sous Chef at the Intercontinental Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, where she leads a dynamic team, manages banquet and catering spaces, and oversees multiple dining outlets. Known for her exceptional leadership and mentorship, she ensures impeccable quality and compliance across all operations. Previously, she excelled as Banquet Chef at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, and held esteemed positions at USC, The Beverly Hills Hotel, and The Peninsula Beverly Hills. A Le Cordon Bleu, Pasadena graduate, her distinguished career reflects a commitment to culinary excellence and innovation.

CEO / Founder of Deep Roots Imports

Stefan Gagliano, a dynamic entrepreneur and seasoned hospitality professional, has left an indelible mark on the industry with his passion for excellence and innovation. As CEO/Founder of Deep Roots Imports, he achieved remarkable growth, cultivating relationships with esteemed producers. With extensive experience in beverage operations at Mr. C Hotels and Café San Pietro, Stefan consistently elevates standards, driving revenue growth. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with keen business acumen and commitment to customer satisfaction, sets him apart as a leader. He was also certified with a Level II Court of Master.

Hotel Beverage Program Expert

Alexandra Stern, an Account Manager at The Estates Group in Beverly Hills, excels in building strong relationships and utilizing pricing strategies to drive growth. With a track record of success, she provides exceptional customer service and aligns sales data with supplier goals. Previously, Alexandra is part of the Leadership team at Hotel Bel Air and later became General Manager and Sommelier at K Bakery, where she increased sales revenues by spearheading a new restaurant opening and building a successful wine program. Her diverse skill set includes cocktail development and inventory management, supported by certifications like WSET Level 3 and Court of Master Sommeliers.

Restaurant and Bar Beverage Program Expert

René Hartel is a dynamic professional with a proven track record in brand management, hospitality, and marketing. With a WSET 3 certification, René excels in building beverage programs for over 100 bars and restaurants, planning revenue-generating activations, reducing beverage costs, and creating programs for high-end restaurants and nightclubs. René drives growth through consumer and trade marketing initiatives, brand development, and strategic sales. Their extensive experience includes roles as a Regional Brand Ambassador and Lead Bartender, consistently surpassing sales goals and leading teams. René's entrepreneurial mindset and strong relationship-building skills make them a valuable asset in any endeavor.

Restaurant and Bar Owner/Bar Consultant

Dave Whitton, a seasoned expert in hospitality and spirit education, elevates bar programs to flagship levels through his unwavering dedication to cocktail creation and menu development. His influence extends through partnership with biggest brands in the market, reshaping over 50 bar programs nationwide. From Seven Grand Whiskey Bar to the Sunset Marquis Hotel, Dave's journey reflects his expertise and dedication. His creative cocktails, featured in over 200 original menus, showcase his innovative spirit and commitment to excellence. Dave also owns a restaurant and bar called Prank Bar and he is also a co-owner of El Sativo Tequila and Shibui Whisky.

CONTROLLER

ACCOUNTING

Joejie Daito, a seasoned Staff Accountant at Da Carla Ristorante and Café in Beverly Hills, excels in financial management and attention to detail. Handling accounts payable, receivables, and payroll, Joejie utilizes accounting software like QuickBooks. With a background in administration and bookkeeping, their expertise spans hospitality and retail. Past roles include Bookkeeper/Assistant HR at Tasha Off Price Apparel and Unit Accountant at Il Fornaio Restaurant, where Joejie managed payroll and financial reporting. With solid business administration and computer programming skills, Joejie brings a diverse skill set and exceptional customer service to any role.

Mark Krstich is the executive producer and founder of Craftworks, an artist management and production company specializing in beverage and lifestyle visual storytelling. With a deep understanding of the industry, Craftworks creates dynamic visuals that empower brands to stand out. Mark's strategic vision has driven significant business growth, resulting in inspiring and engaging campaigns. Clients include Diageo, Constellation Brands, Pernod Ricard, Heineken, Chivas Regal, Bombay Sapphire, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Liquid Death, and Movado Group.

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Isa Murphy possesses a diverse portfolio, having successfully collaborated with fashion, finance, entertainment, and food and beverage brands, adapting to their unique styles. A social media expert, she creates compelling content for their brands for marketing purposes in the most cost-effective manner. Her experience includes working with prestigious clients such as Generation Art, fashion lines featured in New York Fashion Week, and fine dining establishments in LA.

Damiano is a seasoned hospitality professional with a wealth of experience in upscale establishments. Currently, as AGM at Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Beverly Hills, he oversees operations, scheduling, payroll, and sales reports, contributing to the Michelin Star awarded in less than a year. Previously, at Eataly Los Angeles, he implemented SOPs, developed staff, supervised restaurants generating $12M in sales, and optimized business flow. With a background in managing food and beverage costs at Caffe Roma and Il Cielo, Damiano brings a proven track record of profit increase and operational excellence. He is a team player, solution-oriented, and excels in fast-paced environments.

SALES | OPENINGS | EVENTS SPECIALIST

Marissa Weldon, General Manager of Ardor at the West Hollywood Edition, is a charismatic leader known for her rapport-building skills and ability to create unforgettable experiences. With a background spanning various hospitality disciplines, she curates menus for all service periods and events. Marissa's previous roles include Director of Outlets at Hotel Oceana and General Manager at Nobu within Sensei Porcupine Creek. Her expertise lies in process improvement, innovative ideas implementation, sales acumen, and effective communication.

PROCUREMENT

Maselina Taulanga, Director of Purchasing at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, brings over a decade of expertise in procurement and purchasing management in the hospitality industry. She oversees procurement for an 889-room hotel, managing supplies across 10 venues and 95,000 sq ft of event space, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness through hands-on negotiation and inventory monitoring. Her previous roles include Purchasing Manager at Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, where she managed procurement for a 683-room hotel, supervised a team, handled inventory, and prepared cost reports. She also served as Purchasing Manager at The Queen Mary, managing procurement for a 314-room hotel, negotiating vendor prices, and handling inventory and requisitions. Maselina's skills span supplier relationship management and efficient inventory systems, driving operational excellence.

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

Kat, a Nurse by profession turned corporate communications and employer branding professional, boasts over 5 years of experience. Renowned for her mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and diverse skills in website development, graphic design, social media marketing, and video editing. Presently, as Employer Brand Assets Lead at London Stock Exchange Group, she orchestrates projects to enhance the employee value proposition and fortify brand identity. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Far Eastern University, Kat's expertise extends to marketing funnels management, email marketing, livestreaming, and more.