With a roster of venues including New York hotspots Ray’s, Jac’s on Bond, and Georgia Room, the trio behind Authentic Hospitality—Matt Kliegman, Matthew Charles, and Carlos Quirarte—have been reshaping New York’s F&B scene since they opened the Smile In 2009. One of those partners, Kliegman, started his party-planning career back at New York University (NYU) and his résumé speaks for itself. Whether working with Ian Schrager at the Public Hotel or bringing an Old School sophistication to Rock Center with the Pebble Bar, Kliegman says the secret to his success is his team. “Partnerships are like marriages,” he points out, “and it’s important to take the time to pick the right partners.”

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