YVAN LEMOINE
Owner and Executive Chef
Since 2020, Yvan Lemoine is the Owner and Executive Chef of the premiere banquet hall My Kitchen and now My Kitchen at Tourmaline. Previously, he was Executive Chef at Gitano NYC and at Union Fare and Chef de Cuisine at Bodega Negra and the Dream Hotel Downtown. Tapped for his expertise as a Mixologist, he opened the Tao Group’s Lavo, Arlington Club, and Surf Lodge. Yvan has appeared in a multitude of television programs including Food Network Star on Giada de Laurentiis’s team, in which he came in second place, Chopped, and Despierta America on Univision.
Yvan was born in Venezuela and at the age of 13, moved to Brooklyn, NY. He attended Long Island City H.S. where he was introduced to fine dining with the help of the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). Yvan began his career at 15 years old in the famed French Manhattan restaurant La Caravelle with Chef Cyril Renaud. Yvan then went on to work with Jacques Torres at Le Cirque 2000, then with Rocco Dispirito and Sam Mason. He’s cooked for dignitaries and royalty at the French consulate in NYC. In 2015, Yvan was awarded the Daniel Boulud/ Paul Bocuse full scholarship and attended the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France. He then had the opportunity to work at Le Neuvieme Art, a 2-star Michelin restaurant in Lyon with Chef Christophe Roure MOF. Yvan studied for a Masters in Hospitality Management from Cornell University and is the author of two books: Food Fest 365!: The Officially Fun Food Holiday Cookbook and Comidas USA.
REBECCA SUSSMAN
Owner and Director of Events
Owner, Director of Events, and Wife of Yvan Lemoine, Rebecca Sussman, is an actress and hospitality professional based in New York City, known for her dynamic presence both on-screen and in the dining room.
Since 2015, she has been a recurring background actor on Saturday Night Live (SNL), appearing in a wide variety of featured roles. In addition to her work on SNL, Rebecca has appeared in several national commercials, independent films, and television projects.
Parallel to her acting career, Rebecca has cultivated a distinguished presence in New York City's hospitality scene. Rebecca began her career in 2010 when Tao Group Hospitality hired her as a hostess to open Lavo Italian Restaurant in New York City. She quickly rose through the ranks and became head Maitre D’ and oversaw the openings of Tao Downtown in the Meatpacking district, as well as Avra Madison Estiatorio, a renowned Greek restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Through this, she learned the importance of building long-lasting relationships, using her warm demeanor and attention to detail to ensure seamless service.
In 2020, Rebecca left Avra Madison to join Yvan as Director of Events at My Kitchen. She is thrilled to continue her role as Director of Events of My Kitchen at TOURMALINE, where she will use her extensive experience to make every guest feel seen and welcomed. She looks forward to hosting your group soon
MATT ARCHAMBAULT
General Manager
Matt Archambault joins TOURMALINE with hospitality and restaurant operations experience and a deep passion for community-driven food and beverage. Most recently, he helped shape the west Queens craft beer scene, managing front-of-house operations at acclaimed taprooms like Fifth Hammer Brewing and Focal Point Beer Co and at The Wolfhound and Oliver’s in Astoria, building strong local followings through thoughtful service and community engagement. He is the host of Brewed in New York, the Emmy Award-winning PBS travelogue, 13 episodes for 13 regions of the state, exploring the state’s dynamic beer industry..
JESSE DOMENCH
Pastry Chef
Jesse Domenech sweetening the pot for dessert lovers dining at TOURMALINE. He’s a very talented pastry chef who has work in Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City creating innovative and sophisticated desserts.
The Queens native honed his talent in some of the most esteemed kitchens in the U.S., including the three-starred Michelin Le Bernadin and the one-starred Michelin Le Coucou and at Park Ave. And just down the street from TOURMALINE, he was immersed in the world of chocolate as Aigner Chocolates and became Head Chocolatier. Today, he combines his rigorous training with daily inspiration adding personal touches to his desserts, showcasing his skills and creativity in the world of fine dining desserts.
He was first introduced to the world of pastry, desserts and chocolate when he attended Food and Finance High School in Manhattan.
NICOLE MUSCARI
Wine Director
Nicole’s foray into the world of wine started in 2014 after a trip to Napa Valley during harvest. After learning about the people and places behind the label, she knew she needed to be a part of it. This epiphany led Nicole to create Grape Chic in late 2017, a blog and social media platform dedicated to making wine approachable, enjoyable, and relatable. Through Grape Chic, Nicole has partnered with esteemed wine brands and regions, traveling extensively to introduce her audience to the unique places and faces of the wine world. Nicole is a seasoned private client wine consultant, offering personalized guidance to wine enthusiasts and collectors and an instructor at the Sommelier Society of America. Her expertise is further validated by her WSET Level 4 Diploma, her distinction as a French Wine Scholar with highest honors, and her contributions to leading wine publications.