MICHAEL LESSING

INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL LESSING

PRESIDENT & COO, LESSING'S HOSPITALITY GROUP

By Adam Kluger

"Our mission is to continue the 130-year tradition of innovation and excellence, providing unique restaurant concepts, exclusive wedding venues, distinctive catering, and skillfully executed management," offers a friendly-- but obviously quite busy-- Michael Lessing, President of Lessing's Hospitality Group.

he hospitality conglomerate was founded by Maxwell Lessing in 1890 and is operated to this day by 15 Lessing family members. “The company has been going strong for six generations with most recently my son, Mike Jr. and my cousin Lawrence, coming on board.” Lessing says. The secret to the Lessing family's success? "We've always focused on being a family business, says Lessing, "and we've built a culture that ensures you don’t have to have the last name ‘Lessing’ to be a part of the family.” The Lessing family has provided food service to New Yorkers for over 130 years without interruption. Both the longevity and the success of this legacy company are unprecedented. For Michael, upholding and building upon the family legacy is a serious business that requires an extreme attention to team building and corporate culture. "I have a great team around me. There's an incredible responsibility to running the family business and it's not just about keeping the business alive. It's about growing and diversifying. My job is to develop the company to be bigger and stronger so the next generation can continue to build the legacy."

TLessing's expanded their portfolio to Florida with the Pelican Club, Crane Club at Tesoro, Charlie & Joe's at Love Street, and most recently the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. "My family and I spend a lot of time in Florida, so the connection was already there,” Lessing says. “We noticed many people visiting from New York and realized our name is well known in the area. Pelican Club and the four restaurants at Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street in Jupiter all overlook a historic lighthouse. I don’t think there’s a better view in all of Florida.” In 2021, through a partnership with Ellen Hart Sturm in New York City, Lessing’s Hospitality now operates the world-famous Ellen's Stardust Diner & The Iridium. The company is currently comprised of over 100 locations throughout the Northeast and Florida. Lessing’s operates 21 wedding and catering venues, 20 full-service restaurants, 2 pop-up kitchen concepts, over 60 corporate and academic dining centers, and a historic inn. No matter the state or venue, Lessing’s Hospitality Group always strives to make sure that every employee and guest feels like family. Website: www.lessings.com

WITH PURPOSE, HUMILITY, AND TRADEMARK GLAMOUR KIMBERLY

GUILFOYLE

TAKES PALM BEACH

By Adam Kluger

How was the recent Metropolitan magazine cover shoot?

Working with Publisher Chase, a longtime friend with whom I have collaborated on numerous photoshoots and his outstanding creative team was lots of fun. Chase has an exceptional eye for fashion and photography which is evident every single time we work together. I loved wearing, and working with, the fabulous fashion designer Oscar Lopez who is also a dear friend, a Cuban American designer, whose pieces demonstrate his appreciation for dance, ballet, music, and theater. His collections are sexy and special.

Chase and Oscar are a home run team! And Metropolitan Magazine is always a must read and a must see for its beauty and exceptional content.

Last time on the cover you were sporting incredible jewelry from David Birnbaum and Rare1, who were you wearing this time around?

For this cover, I wore jewelry from Provident Jewelry. Provident has locations in the chicest Florida markets, and these pieces came from their boutique in Jupiter. One of the partners, Nick Linco, is not only a friend, but also a giving community partner. Nick had the most gorgeous stones and jewels for the shoot. I am particularly in love with the sapphires! Florida is my home and to showcase talented, passionate entrepreneurs and companies from our community is very important to me.

That last cover shoot in New York City was also really fun. How's Florida?

The photoshoot in New York was lots of fun which we shot in my former apartment at the Beresford. It is a special place. And it is a special city which was my home for many years.

Don and I are full-time Florida residents – and we love every moment being here. We relocated our entire families, and it is a joy being close to everyone -- Eric and Lara are nearby, Jared and Ivanka are in Miami as are Tiffany and Michael. And, of course, President Trump, Melania and Barron are in Palm Beach, at their beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago.

What you may not know, before we became permanent residents, we spent many happy times as a family in Palm Beach – during spring breaks and all the holidays, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is a natural level of familiarity and warmth which made the full-time transition much easier and welcome. One day, Don and I looked at each other, and said: “Let’s make the move.”

great team?

Don and I knew each other for years but, when we went on one date years later that was it. Sparks. In fact, we have been together from that night on, happily ever after! Just simply, Don and I are a perfect match. We are similar in many ways and beautifully complement one another in other ways, a true yin and yang. We share the same inner passion and fighting spirit.

What people may not know is that I am very traditional, which I learned from my parents. My father adored my mother, and she adored him. He put her on a pedestal, and she respected him tremendously. She was an incredible woman, working hard lovingly teaching children with special needs and coming home to take care of her husband and my brother, Anthony, and me whom she loved more than anything. Tragically we would lose my mother when I was 10 years of age, and my brother was 8. She was only 37. But the impression and the values that she instilled in us will last a lifetime.

I love taking care of Don, the way that I saw my mother lovingly take care of my father. I go out of my way to make sure he has everything he needs – making coffee in the morning, cooking our favorite meals, doing our families laundry, and caring for our home. He appreciates this about who I am, and I respect him, his strength, loyalty, and his undaunted courage. He is truly fearless. We love raising our 6 beautiful children together. My son, Ronan Anthony is my treasure and my greatest joy. I could not be more proud of him as a mother. His middle name is after my father and brother, and my mothers and my favorite saint, Saint Anthony.

I love being an independent career woman and strong female, with my own opinions and passions. Don loves that I am traditional and yet fiercely independent. We are partners in this incredible journey they call life, and I totally love it!

The last few years has been a whirlwind for you!

America is the greatest country in the history of the world. So, every day is a great blessing. I am an optimistic person by nature and love life and live life out loud.

President Trump is my long-time, dear friend of 19 years and he gave up an incredible life by anyone’s measure to fight to save our Country. He sacrificed a great deal for the chance to give back and put Americans first. And he delivered – the county was thriving by every metric. President Donald J. Trump has been through attack after attack; he handles with a fight for truth. He inspires people, which is a quality of an exceptional leader. Historic, in fact.

What a thrill, from covering it all as a journalist on television to living and experiencing it first hand with a front row seat to American political history. Life on the campaign trail, the thousands of rallies, countless events that I joyfully hosted for President Trump, it was exhilarating and an honor as his Senior Advisor and his National Finance Chairwoman.

You have been very successful in law, media, now politics – clearly you are a leader committed to excellence. You also have spent a lot of time involved with mentoring, how do you find the time and why is that so important to you?

Life is short and precious, and you have to make it count in the best way possible every single day. My mother was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, my father was born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. They met in the Mission District in San Francisco, worked hard to provide for their children and humbly appreciated living their American Dream. My father served proudly in the United States Army and my parents gave my brother and me a great education. I miss my parents every day. I strive to honor them in every way possible – their love of family, their sacrifice, and strong faith. When you have been abundantly blessed, it is incumbent upon you to give back. My mother and father always taught me that this life is about other people, it’s about human beings.

Every opportunity in your path; how you handle them is the glory and magic of life. This is why it is so important that young students and professionals have mentors who will inspire and positively challenge, those who teach and lead by example, and understand the importance of being good citizens who give back. Giving back and passing on blessings to others is who I am.

Well, thank you, Kimberly. I don't think we've ever had the same person on the cover three different times ...I think that's a record. A true compliment and an honor!

Did you know that along with publishing magazines and a new streaming video program, that Chase is also working on a 5-star Luxury MedSpa in Palm Beach called Advanced Aesthetics?

I do know, Chase never rests! Chase is very creative and embodies what I have been talking about –he is continuing to live more chapters in his book. Cannot wait to see it come alive!

Lastly, can you give us a sneak peek into what you are up to next?

I am an entrepreneur at heart. A little teaser… launching my own new show on Rumble -- this incredible platform is hot. Rumble's average global users is now a massive 71 million - increased 97% from 2021. Wait until you see what we have planned. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Photography: David Scarola | www.davidscarola.com Fashion Designer: Oscar Lopez | @realoscarlopez Makeup: Ally Carrasco, Makeup by Ally C Hair: Hailee Martin, The Parlour 29 Salon + Boutique Hair: Karen Newman, Admirals Cove Blue Water Salon Lashes: Briana Del Rosario, Fly Lashes Brows: Melissa Matos, Esthetics by Melissa Matos Nails: Vy Hoang, Selfie Nail Salon Photographed at Admirals Cove Jupiter, Florida