Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo, husband and wife co-owners of Esmé, met when they were both starting out in the industry at MK, a groundbreaking Chicago restaurant that has since closed. The pair eventually married and ventured out on their own, opening Esmé in 2021.
The Chicago fine-dining restaurant embodies their vision to marry Bravo’s passion for art and Tomaska’s passion for culinary artistry with the shared goal of providing first-rate hospitality.
Esmé offers an evolving tasting menu inspired by Chicago’s rich cultural scene. The couple collaborate with local artists and creatives, and each quarter, Esme’s menu, servingware, décor and music reflect the current artistic collaboration.
Listen as Bravo and Tomaska describe their one-of-a-kind Michelin-starred dining destination and share how they tell their story through a culinary and artistic lens.
How Eileen Andrade transformed her grandmother's Cuban diner into an elegant fine-dining restaurant
How a new Margaritaville transformed foodservice at a Louisiana campground in mere months
How CEO Jeff Carcara is taking Sixty Vines to 'wherever the wine drinkers are'
As director of culinary for US Foods, Scott McCurdy is a 'constant student of restaurants'
How Mike's Hot Honey sparked the sweet-heat menu trend, starting with Paulie Gee's Brooklyn pizzeria
How Eric Gabrynowicz gave Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar a menu refresh while staying true to its roots
How Spike Mendelsohn is changing up healthy eating in the fast-casual and snack spaces
How True Food Kitchen reimagined its menu with a focus on hyper-seasonality and comfort
How Fabio Viviani is expanding his restaurant empire into the sweet side
117 chefs share their secrets to running a successful kitchen and restaurant
How Robert St. John turned Hattiesburg, Miss., into a dining destination
How Yogurtland's flavorologists push the envelope on what frozen yogurt can be
How Ford's Garage innovative menu and vibe draws guests of all ages
How Jonathon Sawyer’s live-fire cooking passion ignites the menu at Kindling
How craveability, sustainability and the guest experience drive Avi Szapiro's menu mission
How Starbird's recipe for perfect fried chicken is powering the fast casual for growth
How food hall pioneer Anna Castellani is transforming community dining
How Jared Galbut turned his Florida-born taqueria into a dining and nightlife destination
How 3 chain restaurant execs put menu innovation front and center
Qdoba chef Katy Velazquez taps her travels in Mexico to innovate the menu—but will never touch the chain's signature queso
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
Walk-In Talk Podcast
A Tale of Two Cities
The Federalist Papers
The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Solicited Advice with Alison Roman