Leading local restaurant group names new partner

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Tristan Walczewski. Courtesy photo.

Essence Restaurant Group owners James Berg and Hillary Edwards recently announced the appointment of a new partner. Tristan Walczewski, an employee of  10 years, is now a partner and chief operating officer of the company. Restaurants operated by Essence include downtown Italian food staple Bistro Bella Vita, casual Cherry Street eatery Green Well, Grove (this magazine’s 2023 Restaurant of the Year) and its newest addition— Lucy’s, a celebrated brunch venue in the hip Creston district — for a total of four restaurants in the Grand Rapids area.

Luyc’s, located at 1747 Plainfield Ave. NE, is the newest addition to the Essence Restaurant Group.

“I am so excited to take the next step in my career and couldn’t be happier doing this with Hillary and James at Essence,” said Tristan Walczewski. “We’ve been through a lot together—especially the pandemic years—so we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I’m eager to continue learning and taking the Essence brand to new levels!”

Walczewski’s rise to prominence at the company reads like a typical Cinderella story of the restaurant variety. In 2014, he started as a server at Bistro Bella Vita before being promoted to restaurant manager and then advancing to general manager and beverage director. Somewhere along the way he put his nose to the grindstone and earned an Advanced Sommelier accreditation intended for persons with extensive wine service experience and who wish to develop their knowledge and service skills to a higher level, making him the highest-ranking sommelier available at any public restaurant in the region.

“This milestone is a testament to Tristan’s dedication and achievements throughout his career at Essence,” said James Berg, Essence Restaurant Group’s managing partner. “Hillary and I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome him to the ownership team, and we are excited about what the future brings to our organization.”

 

 

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