Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli has a distinguished history working in some of the most prestigious restaurants. He joined Invest hospitality as Culinary Director in June 2018. Verzeroli created and oversees the concepts for Le Jardinier and Shun restaurants designed by award-winning French architect Joseph Dirand. Today, Verzeroli serves as Culinary Director for l’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Le Jardinier brands.
Verzeroli’s stellar career has included leadership positions at Michelin three-star restaurants across Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo. He most recently served as Director of Culinary Operations at Château Restaurant Joël Robuchon in Tokyo, where his guidance led to the annual receipt of three Michelin stars for eleven consecutive years. Prior to working with Robuchon for 21 years, Verzeroli was the Executive Sous Chef at the esteemed three Michelin star Arpège with chef Alain Passard in Paris. He also trained at the famed three Michelin star Taillevent and three Michelin star Guy Savoy in Paris.
Verzeroli was born in Vietnam and grew up in Paris. His culinary story began during his freshman year at Universite Paris-Dauphine studying economics. After his first dining experience at Michelin-starred Alain Rayé restaurant, Verzeroli was inspired to approach the renowned chef and asked to apprentice for him. Following a successful month-long apprenticeship with chef Rayé, he decided to change directions and pursue his passion which prompted him to drop out of business school. Verzeroli attended the acclaimed École Grégoire-Ferrandi’s École Supérieure de Cuisine Française (ESCF) in Paris, France.
Chef Verzeroli moved to New York after 18 years in Japan and resides in Midtown Manhattan with his wife.
Seth's culinary journey started in his hometown of Chicago where he got his start in various kitchens around the city. Seth spent 1.5 years at 3 Michelin Star restaurant L20, where he honed his fine-dining skills. After that, Seth joined Chef Brad Kilgore, to help open Alter in Wynwood, FL as Chef de Cuisine. After 4 years at Alter, Seth traveled around Southeast Asia for 4 months, using it as a chance to explore techniques unfamiliar to him. While in Bali Seth also had the opportunity to work with Chef Will Goldfarb at Room 4 Dessert. Seth joined the Le Jardinier team for the restaurant’s opening in Miami in 2019 as Sous Chef and was quickly promoted to his current role of Chef de Cuisine.
A longtime protégé of the legendary Joël Robuchon, Martone serves as Executive Pastry Chef for Invest Hospitality, overseeing the dessert programs at the restaurant group's properties across New York, Houston, and Miami.
Prior to joining Invest Hospitality, Martone was the Executive Pastry Chef at the three Michelin starred Joël Robuchon Restaurant and the Michelin starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, a position for which he was initially recruited when it first opened in 2005, moving up the ranks from Executive Pastry Sous-chef to Executive Pastry Chef in 2010.
Prior to working in Las Vegas, Martone served as Pastry Chef at the two Michelin starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City. Renowned for his highly creative, whimsical, and delectable plates, Martone’s technical mastery allows him to combine aesthetics and flavor—resulting in desserts that are both visually stunning and delicious. He will often spend months conceptualizing and perfecting a dish, creating custom serviceware and new technique sin order to execute his vision.
A native of Naples, Italy, Martone began his education at the Hotelery School in Naples, Italy, and later attended Instituto Superiore Arti Culinarie in Venice. He came to the United States to pursue his passion for pastry-making and attended the French Pastry School: Art de La Patisserie in Chicago, Illinois, the only culinary school in the country dedicated exclusively to teaching pastry technique. Chef Martone has garnered numerous accolades over the course of his career. He received a James Beard Award nomination for Best Pastry Chef in 2015, was named one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America by Dessert Professionalin 2015, and won the 3rd Annual StarChefs.com International Pastry Competition in 2012.
Renowned for his exquisite and visually striking pastry creations, Martone most recently created and opened Frohzen, an innovative ice cream shop in the Miami Design District.
Catra serves as the Head Baker for the Miami locations of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Le Jardinier. Catra’s interest in baking was sparked at a young age by her father, and she quickly learned to read and execute recipes at the age of 6. After high school, Catra enrolled at Johnson & Wales’ Culinary Arts program to pursue her passion. In 2006, she landed an opportunity with the Mandarin Oriental in Bermuda, where she learned to make breads and desserts. Before joining the team at L’Atelier and Le Jardinier, Catra developed her skills at notable restaurants including Hillstone in Coral Gables, Greenstreet Cafe in Coconut Grove and Chef Jose Andres’ Bazaar Mar in Downtown Miami.
Santana serves as the Beverage Director of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami and Le Jardinier Miami. Prior to joining Invest Hospitality in 2019, Santana worked as the national beverage manager for the Turkish hospitality company D.ream, where he helped open restaurants across the US in cities such as New York, Boston, Dallas, and Miami. Recipient of multiple awards for his wine and bar programs, he is constantly searching for progress while honoring traditions related to his projects.
Sandie serves as the General Manager for L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Le Jardinier and Frohzen in Miami. She is native from France where she learned her craft from Michelin starred restaurants such as L'Arpège, Le relais Louis XIII, L'Astrance and Le Jamin to name a few. In 2001, Sandie moved to NYC to open Town restaurant inside the Chambers hotel. She then developed her career and her skills working in acclaimed restaurants such as Fiamma, Avoce and Masa. Having a background in the culture of both countries, Sandie grew a strong knowledge about food, wines and sake while her unconditional passion for the industry made her a skilled and fierce leader to her teams.