Then and Now
Stella Ballarini
Founder/Executive Chef/Creative Director
- Professionally trained and taken under the wing by renowned chefs around the world while living abroad
- Classically trained ballerina
- Childhood crush: Michael Jackson
- Favorite childhood food: Chef Boy RD- Uh O’ Spaghetti O’s
- 9 year old daughter’s favorite food is sashimi. I go broke with her tastes but at least I don’t have to cook!
- Proudest childhood accomplishment: Finalist in McDonald contest for reciting all the ingredients in a Big Mac in under 2 seconds!
Then and Now
Gianluca Ballarini
Wears too many hats to name…
- Born and raised in Lake Como, Italy
- Staged in Israel to learn the tricks of the trade...landed in the two of the most prestigious Jewelry houses in America; Harry Winston and Fred Leighton
- Traveled extensively around the world searching for the most amazing precious and rare gems
- Favorite cuisine: Italian and Japanese
- Sleeps with the Founder...
(Who happens to be his wife...)
- Appraised the Jewelry of the King of Saudi Arabia in his Palace in Saudi Arabia
- Dresses with Jewelry the “Stars” for the Academy Awards
- Making the necklace that Gweneth Paltrow Worn at the Oscars when she won for Best Actress in “ Shakespeare in Love” in 1999
Then and Now
Ilana Nahmias
Senior Events Manager
- Nicknamed “Little Taz”. Enough said
- Claim to Fame! First Blonde Jersey Girl to work at Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins
- Very Virgo: A detail oriented, overcritical, stressed perfectionist -with a messy desk!
- Lives to Eat! Loves Sushi ! Cursed with an Allergy to Shellfish !
- Studied Hospitality at Boston University
- Originally from the Garden State- Don’t Judge!
- An only child (and it shows!)
- Loves to Read, Hates Cilantro, Loves Animals, Hates the Gym, Loves to Sing in the Shower, Hates the Winter..it’s a Love/Hate relationship
Then and Now
Bridget-Marie Heller
Director of Marketing
- “The Office Sushi Virgin”
- If she had to meet one famous celebrity, it would be Miley Cyrus
- Has never tried fish & therefore doesn’t like it
- Loves to taste test different pizzerias
- Has a goal in life to meet someone born every day of the year
- Really likes the letter B
- Childhood crush was Josh Hartnett. She used to bake cakes for his birthday every year on July 21st!
- Loves music and thinks her iPod has the best songs on it
Then and Now
Danielle Sammis
Events Manager
- Office Nickname : The Urban Cowgirl
- Adventure seeker, Has checked skydiving, cliff jumping , and zip lining off her list! Would love to go hang gliding
- First Job ever was a clown for children’s parties, has also been Belle, Snow White, and Princess Jasmine
- Loves Jack Johnson and to sing and dance to anything country!
- Favorite childhood food was Doritos dipped in Vanilla Ice cream. Favorite food now is sushi, but will not go near wasabi
- Favorite Movies include The Sandlot, A League of Their Own, Beauty and the Beast, and The Goonies
- Childhood crush was Benny from the Sandlot and Ashton Kutcher in Dude Where’s My Car. Of course she still loves Ashton Kutcher
- Loves to do anything active especially beach Volleyball
- Die Hard NY Jets fan!
- Shoe shopping is not just a hobby, it’s an obsession!!
