WHO WE ARE

JILLIAN WEINGART

GENERAL MANAGER

Jillian comes to Amara with 20 years experience in the hotel, event, and restaurant industry. She formally worked as the Food and Beverage Manager for the Graduate Madison Hotel. Prior to this, she worked as FOH Manager/Floor Manager for Graze Restaurant working her way up to the General Manager and Maître d' for L’Etoile Restaurant/Deja Food Group.

Jillian graduated college from Western Illinois University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. After spending a few years acting and waiting tables in Chicago, she decided to make the full transition to management. After working in the events industry, Jillian moved to Madison where she fell in love with farm to table cuisine, wine, and the focus on local products and business.

‘’I am a person who shows love by serving, not only in the restaurant industry, but in my community. I truly feel that in order for people to strive, we need to belong to something bigger than ourselves and volunteering in my community has helped me do that. Everyone should give back - in some way- some form. Amara is an opportunity to make the industry a better place for everyone that worked in it. Not only how we treat each other, not only paying people what they deserve, but actually looking at the finer points of the industry and making it somewhere where you could have a lifelong career and make it fulfilling.’’

ABBY HAMPTON

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chef Abby is a native Madisonian with strong hometown roots and experience working in and leading some of Madison's finest restaurants. She grew up working for her grandparents at the Dane County Farmers Market where she honed a deep love and knowledge of Wisconsin agriculture. She went to to study Agricultural & Applied Economics in the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences and served as a line cook during college at Tory Miller's Estrellón, L’Etoile and Sujeo. Amara welcomes Abby's incredible work ethic, passion, ingredient knowledge, and skills as a leader.

"I find more passion and growth every day I challenge myself to keep learning and growing. I can't wait to share Amara with our guests who will enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed putting it together!"

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SAM SCHANKE

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

Sam joined Amara upon opening in October 2022 and was promoted to Front of House Manager in March 2023. She has provided incredible focus and leadership on the floor. Sam comes to Amara with a diverse background in hospitality and customer service in detailed and fast-paced environments. She has experience in the banking industry giving her skills in working with clients and handling detailed transactions. She has worked as a server and bartender at a handful of casual eateries providing exceptional customer service and handling food and drinks. Additionally, Sam's experience as a deli lead and as a barista further demonstrates an ability to work in fast-paced environments while maintaining a clean work environment.

"I believe that every job, no matter how big or small, should be done with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. I take pride in providing excellent customer service, and I value the importance of being a team player. Whether it's serving food or helping customers with their financial needs, I approach each task with a sense of dedication and commitment to making a difference in the workplace."

JORDAN GROSS

SOUS CHEF

Jordan moved to Madison in 2019, where he worked as a Lead Line Cook at Estrellon, Line Cook of L’Etoile Restaurant, and helped develop the menu at Youngblood Beer Co. Jordan is passionate about business operations as he is about producing a quality product and dining experience, and brings a strong operational acumen to the role having worked as a Business Analyst in the advertising and tech industries. Jordan attended culinary school in New Orleans.

"I want Amara to be a 'teaching kitchen' atmosphere. Creating a work environment that embraces diverse skill sets and fosters continual growth through attainable and actionable goals to me is of the utmost importance, and is something I feel is very important in any occupation, but especially in hospitality."

TRAVIS LARSH

SOUS CHEF

Travis comes to Amara from Santa Ana, CA and Portland, OR. He brings 10 years of culinary experience working as a Line Cook at Sous Chef at OX, Playground, and Detention Restaurant. Travis is a passionate cook dedicated to push our team to achieve our highest levels of consistency and quality. Travis graduated in the top 5% of his class at Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland, OR with an Associate of Science in Culinary and Business Management

I have always been passionate about culinary arts and hospitality, and my work allows me to pursue that passion every day. I am driven to push myself and my team to the next level and create exceptional experiences for our guests. It's incredibly rewarding to see people enjoy the dishes I've created and to know that I've contributed to their positive experience. I am constantly learning and growing, and I'm excited to see where my career in this industry will take me.

JACK PORUBSKY

CAPTAIN / MANAGER

Jack is a dynamic and accomplished professional in the hospitality and creative arts industry, with extensive experience in providing exceptional service to our guests. Jack comes to Amara as a service professional having worked at two Michelin-starred restaurants in New York as a Section Manager and Captain at Gotham Bar and Grill, and a Server at Jojo by Jean Georges. Jack has the ability to oversee a team of servers and ensure seamless dining experiences for our guests. Jack understands that hospitality is all about creating a theatrical experience. Jack has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from The New School and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

"I'm thrilled to be back home in Madison, Wisconsin, and I'm excited to use my skills and knowledge to contribute to the local dining scene and to create exceptional experiences for our guests. I'm looking forward to being a part of this restaurant's legacy and to continue learning and growing in my craft."

DELANEY VAN DINTER

CAPTAIN / MANAGER

Delaney is an exceptional server at Amara with skills in planning, organization, problem-solving, and customer service. She is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and creating a welcoming environment. She brings to Amara three years experience in hospitality working at Blended, Capitol Lakes, and The Plaza Tavern in Madison, WI. As a Shift Leader, where she provided on-the-job training, delegated daily tasks and responsibilities to new employees, and resolved customer complaints. She is also experienced as a Dining Room Server and Bartender, where she seated guests, made suggestions for daily specials, resolved guest concerns, prepared and served drinks, and provided exceptional customer service. Delaney has completed an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Madison Area Technical College in 2023.

"I find joy in serving others and creating a warm and welcoming environment for our customers. It brings me satisfaction to see their happy faces and to know that I have made their experience enjoyable. I believe that providing excellent customer service is not just a job, but a way to make a positive impact on someone's day, and I take great pride in delivering that experience to our guests."

KYRA CARBONE BAROLO

CAPTAIN / MANAGER / WINE STEWARD

Kyra is a certified Wine and Spirits educator, coming to Amara after working as the Wine Director at Cambridge Winery. With 9 years of restaurant experience, she brings a great blend of skills and expertise to the table. Apart from her work with wine, Kyra is a talented musician, playing violin and salsa dancing. She is also fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. Prior to her current role, Kyra worked at L'Etoile as a Server, where she was responsible for providing excellent customer service and training new staff.

"I believe that good food and wine have the power to bring people together and create unforgettable experiences. There's something magical about watching someone take that first bite or sip and seeing their eyes light up with delight. It's a privilege to be able to create those moments for others and share my passion for fine dining and wine with them."

OUR MISSION

Amara is owned and managed by Rule No. One Hospitality, a mission-driven lifestyle company seeking to provide warm, fun and an endlessly interesting mix of inspired programming that challenges, invigorates and delights our guests by celebrating our craft, who we are, what we do and what we believe―capturing the neighborhood’s unique lifestyle and culture. Coming out of the pandemic we are, now more than ever, committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, humility, collaboration, wellness, and equity. We support those who live our values with culinary training, career opportunities, and great benefits.

Amara is about celebrating and treating each other and ourselves well. We seek to provide warm, fun and an endlessly interesting mix of inspired programming that challenges, invigorates and delights our guests by celebrating our craft, who we are, what we do and what we believe―capturing the community’s unique lifestyle and culture.

Amara is an equal opportunity employer, with a mission to support women, Black, LGBTQ+ applicants. As an organization, we support a minimum wage of $16/hour.