Martin Jimenez

General Manager

Describe your path to Lilia/Misi. How did you end up with the GH family?

After working in NYC for about 8 years managing restaurants I wanted to take a break and focus on other aspects of my life. That is when I started at Lilia as a captain, April 2019. After that, the progression was meant to be - started as a service manager after the pandemic and I’m excited to take on the GM role at Misi.

What was your first job in the restaurant industry?

My parents owned restaurants in Uruguay where I grew up, so from a very early age, I found myself immersed there. On Saturday’s my parent would take my siblings to sports practice and they would drop me off at the restaurant with my Aunt who ran the lunch service. They would get busy and I would end up helping bussing tables and running drinks. I was around 10 years old!

What do you love most about the hospitality industry?

The ability to take care of people, guests, and staff.

What's one ingredient you can't live without?

Dulce de leche.

What's your coffee order?

Drip coffee with milk and sugar.

Go-to karaoke song?

Wannabe from the Spice Girls!

How do you practice emotional and mental fitness? 

I take time for myself, meditation is a great tool I picked up a few years ago. I’m always looking inward to see who I present myself to the world and how the work affects me.

How do you find your "calm'?

Breathing exercises are a great tool to have.

How do you manage stress?

I try to find people who can understand me, and that can relate to what’s that I’m feeling. Making sure I balance my work and personal time, quality family time is really important to me.