Staff

CHEF: Executive Chef Christopher Lee assumed command of Aureole in December, 2008. To view his complete bio, videos and recipes, click here. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Lee has worked in the kitchens of Manhattan's most renowned restaurants, including Daniel, Jean Georges and Oceana.

Lee, a New York native, earned two Michelin stars while serving as Executive Chef of Gilt in Manhattan and has also been cited as one of Food & Wine magazine's 2006 "Best New Chefs" and "Rising Star Chef of the Year" at the 2005 James Beard Awards for his work at Striped Bass in Philadelphia.

PASTRY CHEF: Rachel Lansang-Hidalgo

SOMMELIER: Justin Lorenz, graduate of the American Sommelier Association and former sommelier of Jean-Georges Restaurant, oversees the wine list and provides regular staff education in all areas of service from wine pairing to varietal and regional characteristics. 

  • Most memorable bottle of wine? During a fateful trip to  Piedmonte, Italy, I was struck with the majestic Nebbiolo grape and began my wine education.

GENERAL MANAGER: Charles Pouchot