05/01/2026
Twenty-two years ago, James and Hillary walked into Bistro Bella Vita with a brand new baby girl and introduced her to the world they loved.
She grew up in the restaurants. She traveled with her parents (New York, Chicago, and Hawaii being her favorites!), and while food wasn’t always something she was eager to explore (that is a complete understatement), she understood that restaurants would be at the center of every trip. She has celebrated MANY (some may say EVERY) milestones at Essence restaurants. When COVID shut everything down in 2020, she showed up and got to work at The Green Well, moving between locations as they reopened, and never looked back.
At the University of Michigan, she found the communications program and recognized something: this was it. Her personality, her passions, the way she moves through the world, it all had a place here. She leaned in. She interned with Essence, and through that work, stepped into her role as Marketing and Communications Coordinator.
This weekend, she graduates. The following week, she makes the move to Chicago, committing to the city! She will step into this next chapter as an intern with Lettuce Entertain You. A new city, a new rhythm, and the start of building a life of her own, though what she’ll do without Bistro’s espresso martinis and truffle fries remains to be seen.
The Essence team is pretty proud! And like everyone who has worked alongside her, been lucky enough to call her a friend, or been part of her world, they’re excited to wish her well on her future endeavors. 🥂
