On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Matthew Kaner, Los Angeles-based sommelier, wine educator, correspondent and consultant.

Matthew is the wine correspondent for Men's Journal which garners 12,000,000 unique monthly views. He’s also the Owner of “Will Travel For Wine Consulting” and literally will travel anywhere and everywhere on the globe for wine and food experiences. Matthew was named one of the Sommeliers of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine and in 2019 Wine Enthusiast named him on the 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list among numerous other accolades.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️You can’t just be good anymore! 

☑️Finding people who know the best times are ahead of us

☑️Find way to be comfortable in the uncomfortable 

☑️Staying relevant and keeping up with culture

☑️Article, “I know how to save the wine industry”

☑️Make memories with friends a family 

☑️The wine Matthew wants to bring to the world 

Articles by Matthew Kaner:

https://bit.ly/4cL2QlF

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Kaner article, "I know how to save the wine industry"

https://bit.ly/4f1Bnhc

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Read Gabriel's Articles:

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On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Rita Jammet, New York-based restaurateur, hospitality advisor and Founder of La Caravelle Champagne.

Rita and her husband André owned and operated the iconic New York French restaurant, La Caravelle. The New York Times described La Caravelle as a “French Legend and a Paris in Manhattan experience to food enthusiasts and the A-list of American society.” 

After closing La Caravelle restaurant in 2004, Rita started to market and distribute La Caravelle Champagne available in a number of distinguished New York hospitality, restaurant and retail establishments.

An avid Champagne lover, Rita promotes not only her champagne but the Champagne region and wines in general. In recognition for her services to the food, wine and hospitality worlds, Rita was recently bestowed the Order of Agricultural Merit by France’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food. 

Simply put, Rita is apart of the social and cultural fabric of New York’s dining scene, a who’s who if you will of New York’s hospitality elite. But more important than that, Rita has a true love for people and hospitality and is actively building community and supporting her industry friends, colleagues and the next generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️The joy of hospitality

☑️More positivity and support in the industry

☑️Jamal James Kent Memorial / Celebration of life

☑️The next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals 

☑️Rita’s lessons and learning from the restaurant business 

☑️La Caravelle Champagne Relaunch (“Champagne is magic!”)

For more info on Rita and La Caravelle:

https://bit.ly/3XTtS5E

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Our next guest bathes throughout the year in an energy of potential and is constantly on a journey of exploration and discovery.

Meet Jhonatan Cano, restaurateur, travel enthusiast, and global citizen. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Jhonatan always had a deep yearning to discover the world. He began his career in award-winning hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, and Conrad Hotel. Later, he joined José Andrés and the ThinkFoodGroup as an integral team member of the flagship Minibar and Barmini.

Jhonatan is now a Partner and Director of Operations for Hive Hospitality, alongside celebrated chef Ryan Ratino. Chef Ratino is best known for Bresca, a one Michelin-starred bistro, and Jônt, a 17-seat intimate dining experience with a strong Japanese influence, holding two Michelin stars in Washington, D.C.

In addition to his role and influence at Hive Hospitality and their growing portfolio of restaurants, Jhonatan is well-known for his travels and passion for fine dining. 

He regularly travels across the globe for 48 to 72 hours to experience the best restaurants in the world. Jhonatan has visited all 50 of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, all three Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S., 83 three Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide, and over 40 countries and counting. As you’ll hear Jhonatan discuss, it's more than just food; it’s an emotive and therapeutic experience for him.

Learn more about Jhonatan and Hive Hospitality:

https://bit.ly/4cP4zGn

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Read Gabriel's Articles:

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On this episode of the High Tea series, Bill Esparza, Los Angeles-based James Beard Award winning writer and author of LA Mexicano.

Bill is a leading authority on Latin American cuisine as a freelance writer for publications such as New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Eater; he’s also appeared on several food television programs.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Travel always inspires him to discover more

☑️Afro-Mexican cuisine of Oaxaca 

☑️”The indigenous-exchange”

☑️Brief history of Afro-Mexican people

☑️Evolution of Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles 

☑️Los Angeles is the 2nd largest Oaxacan city on earth

For more info on Bill's articles:

https://bit.ly/4bugTL4

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Read Gabriel's Articles:

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Lets work together! Get in contact:

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On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Esther Tseng, Los Angeles-based food, drinks and culture writer.

Esther is an Academy Chair of the USA West region for The World’s 50 Best Bars and has served as judge for the James Beard Foundation. She has contributed to numerous publications like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Eater, Civil Eats, Saveur, Resy, VICE, Time Out and many more.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Esther’s recent tasting menu experiences 

☑️National Geographic walking guide of Los Angeles 

☑️Culver City itinerary, starting at Jordan Kahn’s Destroyer 

☑️How to be a good diner and respectable guest? 

☑️Are the days of, “the customer is always right over?”

☑️Celebrity restaurants

For more info on Esther:

https://bit.ly/3VUVrtT

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Daniel Johnnes, truly needs no introduction. He is a luminary in the wine industry, renowned for his leadership and community-building efforts. As one of America’s pioneering sommeliers—one of our forefathers in the field, if you will—Daniel has dedicated decades to mentoring and educating the next generation of wine professionals.

Daniel is the visionary founder of several prestigious wine events and initiatives. He established La Paulée, an annual celebration inspired by the traditional Burgundian harvest festival, which brings together top winemakers and wine lovers from around the world. He also co-founded La Fête du Champagne with Peter Liem, a celebration dedicated to the wines of Champagne, showcasing the region's finest producers. Additionally, Daniel created La Tablée, another esteemed event that honors the rich culinary and wine traditions of France.

Beyond these festivals, Daniel is the founder of Pressoir, a unique organization that hosts exclusive wine events and tastings, offering unparalleled experiences for wine enthusiasts. In his role as Corporate Wine Director for the renowned Chef Daniel Boulud, Daniel oversees the wine programs across Boulud's acclaimed restaurants, ensuring exceptional wine pairings and selections.

Daniel's contributions to the wine world have earned him numerous accolades. He is a three-time James Beard Award winner, a testament to his excellence and influence in the industry. Moreover, he has received several prestigious awards from the French government, recognizing his dedication to promoting French wines and culture. Listen, learn and enjoy from Daniel Johnnes!

Learn more about Daniel and Pressoir:

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Follow Daniel Johnnes on Instagram:

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Learn more about La Paulée:

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On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Mike Jordan, Atlanta-based journalist and Senior Editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As Senior Editor, Mike leads the media brand “UATL,” which focuses on Black culture. Just last week, Mike won the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award for coverage of Atlanta. He’s also an executive board member for the Atlanta Press Club. His work has been featured in National Geographic, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Southern Living, and other national and international publications.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Mike’s love for Atlanta

☑️The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, UATL - Black Cultural Coverage 

☑️Winner of the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award 2024

☑️Why is Atlanta misunderstood?

☑️The depth of Atlanta’s culinary scene on Buford Highway

☑️2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta

☑️Not having a segregated dining scene in Atlanta

☑️The Michelin Guide in Atlanta

Follow Mike Jordan on Instagram:

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Read Gabriel's Articles:

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On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Xanthe Clay, UK-based chef and food writer with 25 years of experience as a Telegraph columnist.

For the past 11 years Xanthe’s been The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair for UK and Ireland. At the Telegraph she provides guidance on everything from roasting a Christmas turkey to baking the perfect loaf of bread. She’s also focused on taking a deep-dive into topical issues such as ultra processed foods, ethical farming and sustainability.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Chef’s are more connected to where food comes from

☑️Importance of Regenerative Agriculture 

☑️The ripple effect and influence of fine dining

☑️The World’s 50 Best Restaurants platform builds community

☑️Restaurants taking care of staff and valuing staff

☑️50 Best Talks in Las Vegas

☑️More casual restaurants on future lists (Xanthe's hope)

Follow Xanthe Clay on Instagram:

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The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024:

https://bit.ly/3KAMr6K

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Read Gabriel's Articles:

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As the Beatles sang in their 1967 hit, “All You Need is Love,” they weren't just referring to the love of another but also the love of oneself. Our next Hot Spot guest, Chef Jordan Kahn, is writing a new chapter in his career, focused on redefining success and joy through love.

Jordan honed his skills under culinary icons like Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, and Michael Mina. He has been at the forefront of LA’s culinary scene with his restaurants—Destroyer, an informal daytime spot serving sophisticated, wholesome fare; Meteora, a transporting, holistic restaurant focusing on live-fire cooking that opened in 2022; and the recently reopened Vespertine, his extravagant experiment in fine dining that closed for the greater part of three years. 

Vespertine’s previous accolades include two Michelin stars from 2019 to 2021, recognition as one of the Most Beautiful Restaurants by Condé Nast, and a spot on Time Magazine’s prestigious list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places.

Despite the awards, accolades, and so-called success, Jordan felt depleted and undernourished by his work. The pandemic, although devastating to the industry, also allowed him to slow down, find balance and meet the love of his life. His wife Zara has had a tremendous influence on him, helping him move "from the head to the heart" in both his creative culinary pursuits and in life in general. 

Learn more about VESPERTINE:

https://bit.ly/3xek3UZ

Follow VESPERTINE on Instagram:

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Learn more about Meteora:

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Follow Jordan Kahn on Instagram:

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On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Cláudia de Brito, Dubai-based journalist, host, moderator and content creator.

Born to Portuguese-Cape Verdean parents in Singapore, raised in Dubai and educated in London, Cláudia’s depth of experience and global perspective has helped her cover hospitality and travel for over a decade. She’s was the Editor of several publications including Caterer Middle East and Hotelier Middle East. In 2021, she was appointed Gulf Academy chair for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants and is now also a Middle East Academy Chair for World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️The Worlds 50 Best Restaurant 2024, Las Vegas

☑️MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair 

☑️Champions of Change Award 2023 | Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen of Amal in Marrakech, Morocco

☑️Dubai’s current culinary scene 

☑️What defines Middle Eastern hospitality?

☑️Where her chef friends are eating in Dubai

☑️Dubai as a culinary destination!

Follow Cláudia de Brito on Instagram:

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