These women are influencing the future of hospitality.

Melba Wilson (photo above) is the Founder & Executive Chef of Melba’s Restaurants. A Harlem native and James Beard nominee, Melba is a true force in American hospitality. Over 20 years in business and more than 11 million meals served, she has built a growing portfolio that includes Melba’s Harlem, Melba’s Grand Central, Melba’s Central Park, Melba’s Catering, Melba’s at the Prudential Center, and the forthcoming Melba’s Newark. Beyond her celebrated Southern comfort food, Melba is a mentor, philanthropist, author, and community advocate whose leadership extends far beyond the dining room. As a board member of organizations including God’s Love We Deliver and NYC Tourism & Conventions (and former President Emeritus of the NYC Hospitality Alliance), she exemplifies what it means to build a sustainable, community-driven restaurant.

Emily Li is the Owner of Sushi Ouji at 196 Prince Street. She is of few women who own omakase counters in NYC, Emily Li moved to the U.S. in 2010 after going to college in China, and jumped right into the restaurant world. Emily spent her first five years in America working in different Asian restaurants before landing a job at the Michelin-starred Tempura Matsui in 2016, where she deepened her love for Japanese cuisine. During the pandemic, she started thinking about what was next and wanted to push herself further. In 2024, she took the leap and opened Sushi Ouji with her best friend, Ben Chen, a chef mentored by Toshio Suzuki of Michelin-starred Satsuki. Sushi Ouji is a dream come true for Emily, who is bringing her love for sushi and traditional omakase to life at a 12-seat counter in SoHo, sourcing seasonal fish primarily from Japan’s Toyosu Market to offer an intimate, high-quality omakase experience for NYC residents and tourists at an accessible price point ($149).

Lane Li is the Owner & Executive Chef of Noodle Lane at 230 7^th Avenue in Brooklyn and Rulin at 15 East 13^th Street in Manhattan. Lane Li is the owner and executive chef of beloved Brooklyn spot Noodle Lane and newly opened Rulin, where she showcases bold Cantonese, Sichuan, and Chinese comfort food to New York City diners. Born in China and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Lane was the first in her family to graduate college before beginning a career in finance. She later trained at the Institute of Culinary Education at night, ultimately leaving finance after the birth of her son Jackson – whose Chinese name inspired the name Rulin – to fully pursue her culinary path. After launching Noodle Lane at Smorgasburg in 2011 and growing it into a brick-and-mortar known for soulful, family-style cooking, she now expands her vision with Rulin, specializing in hand-pulled noodles and celebrating her heritage, craft, and perseverance.

Sunisa – “Susan” Nitmai is the Chef of Moon & Back at 117 West 10^th Street. “Susan” Nitmai hails from the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, familiarly known as Korat, in the Northeastern Thai province of Isaan where she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. At Moon & Back, which she opened with her daughter, Chompoo, she serves what she calls “mom-to-table,” cuisine, including homestyle classics like Braised Pork Leg with five-spice marinade and mustard greens; regional specialties like Somtum Korat, shredded green papaya with dried shrimp, peanut, long bean, tomato, marinated raw crab, and fermented fish sauce; as well as original creations like Escargot Curry with betel leaves and kaffir lime. Prior to Moon & Back, she was the chef of Pata Café, in Elmhurst, Queens, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand before shuttering in August 2025. Prior to cooking at Pata Cafe, Susan was a teacher for 37 years in her home country of Thailand.

Elena Oliver is the Co-Owner and General Manager of Michelin-starred La Bastide at   and Cenadou in North Salem, New York. Originally from Provence, she and her high school sweetheart, now husband Chef Andrea Calstier, moved to New York and opened a French bistro called Papilles in the East Village. After falling in love with the farmhouse where the restaurants are located in North Salem, Elena renovated and designed the spaces which became La Bastide and Cenadou – two distinct yet deeply personal experiences under one roof. The menu is deeply rooted in the couple’s connection to Southern France, reflecting the seasonality and terroir of the Hudson Valley. Through Elena’s vision and devotion to hospitality, both restaurants have flourished, with La Bastide earning a Michelin star and Cenadou continuing to be a favorite of renowned chefs such as Martha Stewart.  

Romina Peixoto (Photo courtesy of Sweet Graffiti)

Romina Peixoto is the Corporate Pastry Chef of Sweet Graffiti at 51 West 32^nd Street. Originally from Buenos Aires, Romina has quietly made history throughout her career, including becoming the first female and first non-French Executive Pastry Chef at the legendary Le Cirque. With experience spanning Eleven Madison Park, WD-50, Alan Wong’s, and The Chocolate Room, Romina now oversees multiple pastry programs as Corporate Pastry Chef, with Sweet Graffiti serving as her most personal and expressive project. Located inside the historic Martinique Hotel, Sweet Graffiti blends art, global flavor, and seasonality–reflecting Romina’s commitment to innovation, mentorship, and pushing pastry forward while honoring craft and technique.

Pei Shan Wei, co-owner, Zaab Zaab in Queens. Pei Shan Wei, a proud resident of Queens and she opened Zaab Zaab at 76-04 Woodside Avenue in the heart of Elmhurst’s Little Thailand in April 2022 with Bryan Chunton. The destination for authentic Isaan fare from Northeastern Thailand has received numerous accolades, including a 3-star review from The New York Times, and being listed three years in a row on the NYT’s 100 Best Restaurants in NYC as well as being nominated as a semifinalist in the Best Restaurateur category for the 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards. In 2020 during the pandemic Wei and Chunton almost closed their former restaurant but were able to stay afloat by providing meals for those suffering food insecurity through organizations like Rethink Food, Heart of Dinner, and Queens Together and later open Zaab Zaab. Wei continues to feed the needy to this day. Wei is also a strong single mother and likes to offer opportunities to chefs and cooks, especially mothers. Wei’s idol among women industry leaders is Heart of Dinner co-founder Moonlynn Tsai. She hopes to be like Tsai and create an organization to help people. She’s still working on it.  

Nicki Laborie (Photo Credit: Ryan Emberley)

Reyna  on 11 East 13^th Street is led by owner Nicki Laborie’s belief that people bring back people, the restaurant’s concept revolves around guests dining together in a convivial, sexy, warm and welcoming setting. The Mediterranean tapas restaurant and cocktail bar became an immediate staple in Canada and then opened in Union Square at the end of 2022. The restaurant’s stunning decor, vibey music, sexy lighting, fantastic food and cocktails create an experience that is both unique and memorable. Reyna’s menu showcases an array of small plates inspired by the diverse flavors of the Mediterranean. From house-made dips, to flavorful shawarma platters and fresh seafood, each dish is meticulously crafted with passion and precision.

Le Petit Village at 173 7^th Avenue South has become a must visit for locals and tourists alike in the West Village because of its stunning and equally satisfying French dishes from Executive Chef Mehjabin Ahmed. Chef Ahmed has had experience working at some of the world’s most renowned restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, Le Coucou, and Spice Market. She was Stagiaire Chef at Noma Koan in Copenhagen and Bistrot Paul Bert in Paris and most recently worked at Jean’s. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Chef Mehjabin now helms the kitchen at Le Petit Village, where she brings her expertise in regional French cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Having grown up across multiple countries and spending half of her life in NYC, she draws inspiration from both Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. She is passionate about seasonal products, culinary innovation, culture, and travel. 

Razel Rustia (Photo Courtesy of Nicholas Lee Ruiz)

At Arlo Soho on 231 Hudson Street, Razel Rustia is the creative force behind the bar offerings at restaurant Lindens and cocktail lounge Foxtail, shaping each menu with innovation. She oversees each cocktail menu with a focus on fresh ingredients and a welcoming experience for guests. With a background in hospitality, Rustia crafts drinks that feel balanced, intentional, and easy to enjoy. Her direction has helped shape Arlo SoHo’s beverage scene, drawing guests in for inventive cocktails and a lively atmosphere. 

Despoina Karapostolaki (Photo Courtesy of Delos Greek Restaurant)

Newly opened in February 2026, Delos Greek Restaurant on 102 West 47^th Street in Midtown is also home to a standout woman worth spotlighting: Wine Director Despoina Karapostolaki. At Delos, founded by restaurateur Stathis Antonakopoulos, Karapostolaki leads a Mediterranean-focused wine program with a strong emphasis on Greece’s diverse and indigenous grape varieties. The list features 99 bottles under $99 alongside a curated reserve selection of exclusive labels, offering guests the opportunity to explore Greek wines by the glass, bottle, or through thoughtfully composed flights. Her expertise and passion bring depth and discovery to the dining experience, complementing the restaurant’s modern interpretations of Greek classics and reinforcing Delos as a refined new destination in Midtown.

And these women are spirit afficionados!

Olivia Stewart (Photo courtesy of Oxbow Rum)

Olivia Stewart is the President of Oxbow Rum. Olivia leads production of premium rums crafted from sugarcane sourced directly from her family’s historic Alma Plantation, owned since 1859. A fifth-generation steward of this sugarcane legacy, she transitioned from a decade in New York City’s art world—holding roles at galleries like Maccarone and Worth Art Advisory—to helm the distillery in 2020 amid the pandemic, rebranding it from Three Roll Estate to Oxbow Rum, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With a background in art business from Sotheby’s Institute and a passion for her Louisiana roots, Stewart drives innovation in cane juice and molasses rums, positioning Oxbow as a leader in American craft spirits while earning accolades like a Louisiana House Resolution for her contributions. 

Micaela Pallini (Photo courtesy of Pallini)

Micaela Pallini is the President and CEO of Pallini. Armed with a PhD in chemistry from Roma Tor Vergata University, Micaela joined over 15 years ago, applying her scientific expertise to refine family recipes—like perfecting Limoncello with innovative flavor profiles and launching the world’s first non-alcoholic version, Pallini Limonzero—driving the company to double sales and claim 15% of the global Limoncello market. As the first woman to lead Pallini and elected President of Federvini (Italy’s wine and spirits association), she champions innovation, quality, and women in business while expanding exports to over 70 countries and renewing key U.S. partnerships with Lucas Bols through 2030.

Laura Bonner (Photo courtesy of The Muff Liquor Company)

Laura Bonner is the Founder and CEO of The Muff Liquor Company.  Laura founded The Muff Liquor Company, award-winning Irish craft spirits brand launched in 2018 from the village of Muff in County Donegal. Inspired by her grandfather’s potato-farming legacy and illicit Poitín recipes, she left a high-flying career in London real estate where she rose to UK Sales Director managing 300 employees and a law degree from Dublin Business School to pursue her dream amid personal risk, even navigating near-bankruptcy during the pandemic via innovative direct-to-consumer cocktail boxes. Her tenacity secured celebrity investors like Russell Crowe, Ed Sheeran, Jimmy Carr, and Ronan Keating, coined the “Muff Liquor Men,” while earning accolades such as International Entrepreneur of the Year, Handcrafted Spirits Leader in Western Europe, and Most Inspiring Ulster Businesswoman; today, she drives U.S. expansion into 39+ states with premium potato-based gin, vodka, and peated whiskey within the portfolio. 

Monique ten Kortenaar (Photo courtesy of Lucas Bols Distillery)

Monique ten Kortenaar is the Master Distiller & Distillery Manager at The Lucas Bols Distillery. Monique oversees the production of genevers, gins, liqueurs, and bitters for iconic brand Bols (since 1575). With a background as a chemical analyst, flavorist, product developer, and brewer trained in Germany, she joined Lucas Bols in 2013 as Quality Manager before rising to lead the distillery team during the COVID-19 era, succeeding retiring master distiller Piet and now mentoring junior distillers. A multifaceted innovator, she crafts modern expressions like Bols Blue 1575 Curaçao while championing genever’s revival, fermentation expertise, and women breaking barriers in a traditionally male field.

Top photo of Melba Wilson courtesy of Melba’s Restaurants