Marc Jacobs
Executive Partner and Divisional President
Marc Jacobs is the President and Partner of Aba, Antico Posto, Bar Ramone, Beatrix, Beatrix Market, Ēma, Rotisserie Ēma, Foodease, Foodlife, L. Woods, Mity Nice Bar & Grill and The Dalcy. Marc began his career with Lettuce Entertain You in the fall of 1991, as a banquet server and busser at Bones (now L. Woods). After being cross-trained as a server, host and line cook, he was offered the opportunity to go through management training upon his graduation from UIC in the summer of 1995. Two years later, Marc was transferred to R.J. Grunts, and was quickly promoted to general manager where he worked side by side with Rich Melman on the re-development of the restaurant. From 2001 to 2015, Marc was imperative in the development and re-concepting of Antico Posto, Foodlife, Mity Nice Bar & Grill and L.Woods. He also oversaw and led the opening process from beginning to end at Di Pescara, Foodease Market, Beatrix River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market and Beatrix Market. Now, Marc is thrilled to be combining his passion for food and design with his vast experience in restaurants in his latest concept, Aba, a Mediterranean restaurant featuring a light, California style of cooking in Fulton Market. In his free time, Marc enjoys spending time with his wife Vanessa and their three children, traveling, and visiting new restaurants.
Michael Giles
Managing Partner
Michael Giles is a Partner of Aba, Beatrix, Beatrix Market, Ēma and The Dalcy. With a strong passion for food and operations, Michael has worked for several restaurant groups in multiple cities including Minneapolis, San Diego, Portland and now in Chicago. Michael started at Lettuce Entertain You in August 2010 where he was a part of the Scoozi team. He quickly became the General Manager, and just three years later, Michael led the opening team at Beatrix River North. Finding success in the concept, Michael has been influential in the opening of Beatrix's two other locations in Streeterville and Fulton Market, as well as Beatrix Market, a quick grab and go experience. Michael is now the Partner of said restaurants, in addition to Ēma, Aba, and The Dalcy. Michael oversees daily operations, food quality and ongoing training and development of the management team. Working closely with the chef team to facilitate new and creative ideas, Michael is constantly focused on hiring and developing his management teams and growth in all three concepts. As a Gold Coast resident, he enjoys checking out new bars and restaurants, exploring the city and playing ice hockey. He also enjoys travel, especially visiting his native hometown in Minnesota, and spending time with family and friends.
Maureen Larson
Partner
Maureen Larson is a Lettuce Entertain You Partner with Aba & The Dalcy as well as The Ivy Room. Maureen's passion for the hospitality industry was sparked between her Freshman & Sophomore year of college during a summer job at The Drake Hotel. She immediately loved meeting people from around the world and making their stay unforgettable. Switching colleges she headed off to the University of Wisconsin Stout majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After several years in the hotel industry, she joined Lettuce Entertain You in 1991 pursuing a career in sales and catering. Maureen worked at many Lettuce restaurants including Brasserie Jo, Papagus and Bub City as a Sales and Catering Manager and then Divisional Director of Sales. In the early 2000’s Maureen moved to the LEYE corporate office eventually becoming the Vice President of Parties and Special Events. In 2015 she became a Partner in Lettuce Entertain You’s first event venue The Ivy Room followed by The Dalcy Event Hall in the Summer of 2018. Maureen has two children who she says she learns so much from each and every day. She has a passion for helping develop young women leaders, is a sports enthusiast (Go Bears and Cubs!), and loves serving on several boards in the city of Chicago.
Cannon Porter
Partner
Cannon Porter is a partner of Aba, Beatrix, Ema and The Dalcy at Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. Her passion for the hospitality industry began in 2004 when she started working at Texas Roadhouse in East Lansing, MI. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, Cannon was promoted to Service and Kitchen Manager. After nine years at Texas Roadhouse, Cannon moved to Chicago to join LEYE and the opening team of Beatrix in River North as a manager in 2013, and was quickly was promoted to General Manager. In 2015, Cannon led the opening team of Ema, a Mediterranean and California-inspired restaurant. Continuing to follow her passion and innate drive, two years later Cannon proudly went on to open and oversee Beatrix's third location in Chicago’s Fulton Market District, where she focused on all aspects of the restaurant including working with the chef and management team, while maintaining a high standard for food and service. Most recently, Cannon opened one of LEYE’s largest concepts Aba, with locations in both Chicago and Austin, TX as well as The Dalcy, a private event hall in Fulton Market. Cannon has a true dedication for food and cocktails. When she’s not in the restaurants, Cannon enjoys biking, dining out, attending sporting events and concerts. After spending nine years at Texas Roadhouse, Cannon came to Chicago to join the opening team as a manager of Beatrix River North in 2013. After taking over as General Manager in 2015, Cannon was prepared to then lead the management team at Beatrix’s sister restaurant, Ēma, as the General Manager. In 2017, Cannon proudly went on to open and oversee Beatrix's third location in the Fulton Market District of the West Loop, and is now an Associate Partner of Aba and The Dalcy, a Mediterranean restaurant and private event hall in Fulton Market. She continues to have a daily focus on all aspects of the restaurant including working closely with the chef and management team, while continually maintaining a high standard for food and service. Her favorite part of her job is working the floor and meeting new faces. Cannon has a true passion for food and cocktails. When she’s not in the restaurant, Cannon enjoys running, biking, golfing, dining at local restaurants, and attending sporting events and concerts.
Eric Santoyo
Senior Executive Chef
Eric Santoyo is originally from Mexico City and moved to Chicago in 1999. Eric began his culinary journey when he was 20-years-old at Puck’s Café at the Museum of Contemporary Art. During his time there, Eric’s passion for food developed even more, and he went on to work for Wolfgang Catering Events. In 2001, Eric was promoted to Sous Chef, and continued his culinary education at the Illinois Institute of Art. In between class, Eric gained experience in various kitchens including Brasserie Jo with Chef Jean Joho, La Hacienda de los Morales under Chef Alejandro Heredia, and Everest. In 2006, Eric joined the team at Seasons in the Four Seasons Hotel, where over a span of 12 years he was the Garde Manger, Sous Chef, Banquet Chef and Executive Sous Chef. In July 2018, Eric came back to Lettuce Entertain You as the Executive Chef of The Dalcy, a 6,000 square-foot private event hall in Fulton Market. His favorite part of the job is making sure each guest is comfortable and enjoying their experience. Eric says, ‘The sky is the limit! The happiness of our guest is the essence of my drive as a Chef.’ When Eric isn’t cooking, he loves to spend time with his wife, Juliet and children, Lianca and Dylan.
Dan West
Chef
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dan’s passion for the restaurant industry developed when he was in college. Dan attended Michigan State University majoring in electrical engineering. While in Michigan, Dan worked as a line cook for a local restaurant and immediately knew this was what he wanted to do for his career. He transferred to Schoolcraft College to pursue a degree in culinary arts, and graduated in 2013. Upon graduating, Dan was the Garde Manager Chef at the Detroit Athletic Club where he oversaw a large banquet facility. Looking for growth, Dan moved to Chicago in February 2017 to pursue new culinary opportunities. He joined the Lettuce Entertain You team in June 2017 where he began as an expo and line cook at Beatrix Streeterville. Now, Dan is the Sous Chef and loves training new cooks, modernizing old techniques and developing new menu items. During Dan’s free time, he loves to play video games and try new restaurants in Chicago.
Liz Hake
Senior Sales & Operations Manager
Liz Hake is originally from Northbrook, Illinois, and got her start in the restaurant industry in college where she served at Bonefish Grill. In 2007, Liz joined the Lettuce Entertain You family as a host and server at Wildfire in Glenview, while also pursuing a degree in history at Northeastern Illinois. Upon graduation, Liz joined the opening team at RPM Italian where she was a server for four years. Looking for a new challenge and opportunity, Liz joined Limelight and The Revel Group as an Event Producer to begin her career in catering sales, and quickly returned back to LEYE where she opened Booth One. Now, Liz is proud to be a Catering Sales Manager at The Dalcy, a private event hall in Fulton Market. Her favorite part of the job is the creative of planning, and seeing an idea come to life. When Liz isn’t in the restaurant, she enjoys going to sports events, live performances, concerts, dining out and exploring Chicago.
Tricia Papanton
Sales & Catering Manager
Originally from Burr Ridge, Illinois, Tricia started in the restaurant industry at a young age. When she was just 10 years old, Tricia worked at her grandparent’s event hall and quickly developed her passion for the hospitality industry by watching her grandmother create events for guests. In 2008, Tricia attended Colombia College to pursue an Illustration degree. While at school, Tricia gained experience in restaurants as a hostess at Antico Posto, an Italian restaurant in Oak Brook, and also as a freelance menu designer for neighborhood bars and restaurants. After working with Lettuce Entertain You for nine years, Tricia decided to explore other opportunities and joined the Doughboy Restaurant Group as a Marketing and Events Manager. In 2019, Tricia returned to LEYE as Parties and Special Events Manager at Beatrix Oak Brook and is now a Sales and Catering Manager at The Dalcy. Her favorite part about the job is watching someone’s vision come to life and loves learning about different traditions that are important to each guest. During her free time, Tricia enjoys making art, vintage shopping, listening to live music, traveling, visiting new restaurants and spending time with her friends and family.
Emma Kessler
Sales & Catering Manager
Raised in Vernon Hills, Illinois, Emma has been passionate about the restaurant & hospitality industry ever since she attended a wedding at a young age and was fascinated by the service and decor. Emma followed her instinct to pursue event management at Iowa State University, where she was inspired to join the industry after taking a class on country club management. Throughout her summers in college, Emma worked as a Banquet Server, Banquet Captain and Banquet Manager, gaining experience and continuing to fall in love with the parties & events environment, with a special interest in weddings. Emma joined Shannon Gail Weddings and Events in 2020 where she built relationships with clients and vendors over the course of two years. Looking to take on another opportunity outside of wedding season, Emma joined Lettuce Entertain You’s Ema, a Mediterranean restaurant in River North, as a Server in 2021 and quickly became enwrapped by the core values of the company. Through Ema, Emma was introduced to The Dalcy, and realized her ultimate goal was to return to the parties & events industry full-time. When the timing was right, Emma was offered the position of Catering and Sales Manager at The Dalcy, Lettuce’s private event hall in Fulton Market, in November of 2022, where she’s now thrilled to be working with her clients to bring their special event dreams to fruition. In her free time, Emma loves to unwind by watching her favorite shows on Bravo, revisiting her 20 years of ballet experience by dancing, spending time with family, and deciding between going out with friends for dinner or staying in with a good movie and glass of wine.
Molly Watson
Sales & Catering Manager
Raised in Canton, Michigan, Molly has been a self-described “planner” with a passion for design and party planning her entire life. During her time attending Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, Molly got a taste for the hospitality industry while serving at Riot Hospitality’s El Hefe when it first opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2010, and as a hostess at BRAVO! Cucina during school breaks while back at home. Throughout her time at Riot Hospitality, Molly worked her way up from server, to VIP host, to Events Sales Manager. She continued to garner experience by working at local industry events, including Waste Management and the Barrett-Jackson Auction, before ultimately moving to Chicago to work at the El Hefe located in River North. Seeking a return to the culinary world after a pandemic-driven hiatus in 2020, Molly pursued Lettuce Entertain You due to its reputation and her own loyalty to her favorite Lettuce restaurants. In 2023, she was brought onto The Dalcy team and is now a Sales & Catering Manager. Her favorite part of the job is building and maintaining client relationships, and helping make the client’s vision come true. In her free time, Molly loves to travel, try new restaurants and red wines, spend time with her family, go boating, attend country concerts and watch hockey. She’s also a big Michigan Wolverine’s fan (#GoBlue).
Renee Schoen
Operations Manager
Renee grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and attended Eastern Illinois University with the intention of becoming a pediatric nurse. While in school, Renee worked at Giordano’s as a Server and discovered her love for the hospitality industry, which led her to change her major to study business and human resources. Following graduation in 2014, Renee joined the team at Cooper’s Hawk as a Lead Server before going on to become the Assistant Event Coordinator, Event Coordinator and Event Manager. Throughout her five years at Cooper’s Hawk, Renee assisted with the opening of new locations and training private event staff while also increasing her knowledge of sales & catering. In August of 2021, Renee was introduced to Lettuce Entertain You and was immediately interested in joining the team at The Dalcy after visiting the space. Renee became the Operations Manager at The Dalcy shortly thereafter, where she feels lucky to say her work is her passion. Renee’s favorite part of the job is being able to assist in making memorable moments for each client. In her free time, Renee enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Elizabeth Harris
Operations Manager
Originally from the south side of Chicago, Elizabeth was a proud member of the first graduating class of Walter Payton College Preparatory, after which she attended Tennessee State University to study Psychology. In 2006, Elizabeth completed the six-month Disney College Internship where she was a Food & Beverage Attendant at the Carribean Beach Resort, which ignited her passion for hospitality. Following her internship, Elizabeth moved to Las Vegas to pursue her career and gained experience working at MGM Resorts, The Bellagio and Monte Carlo as a Lead Executive Assistant, Food & Beverage Executive Assistant and Guest Bookings Agent respectively. In 2012, Elizabeth moved back to the midwest to raise her daughter in Chicago, and honed her skills in the catering field as an Event Planner for Rome’s Joy Catering, Corky’s Catering, Fuze Catering and more. A lifelong Lettuce Frequent Diner, Elizabeth took the opportunity to join Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants as a Operations Manager at The Dalcy in January of 2023. Her favorite part of the job is watching guests relax and truly enjoy themselves during their event, knowing that The Dalcy team has everything taken care of. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to spend time with her daughter and their dog, going to new restaurants and crafting.