On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Rita Jammet, New York-based restaurateur, hospitality advisor and Founder of La Caravelle Champagne.

Rita and her husband André owned and operated the iconic New York French restaurant, La Caravelle. The New York Times described La Caravelle as a “French Legend and a Paris in Manhattan experience to food enthusiasts and the A-list of American society.”

After closing La Caravelle restaurant in 2004, Rita started to market and distribute La Caravelle Champagne available in a number of distinguished New York hospitality, restaurant and retail establishments.

An avid Champagne lover, Rita promotes not only her champagne but the Champagne region and wines in general. In recognition for her services to the food, wine and hospitality worlds, Rita was recently bestowed the Order of Agricultural Merit by France’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Simply put, Rita is apart of the social and cultural fabric of New York’s dining scene, a who’s who if you will of New York’s hospitality elite. But more important than that, Rita has a true love for people and hospitality and is actively building community and supporting her industry friends, colleagues and the next generation.