Where Hospitality, Culinary Innovation, and Excellence Converge

Francesco Zimone was born and raised in Napoli, Italy and moved to Los Angeles with a degree from the European Master in Audiovisual Management. He built a career that took him through hedge fund administration, the film industry, and a regional sales leadership role with Academia Barilla on the US West Coast.

After a stint designing and renovating high-end residential properties, he returned to his roots in food. From the same team that brought the legendary L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele to the United States, Francesco co-founded Florence with Executive Chef Giuseppe Gentile.

Francesco personally designs every Welcome Home property. The portfolio spans Italian dining across Greater Los Angeles, with active partnership and licensed-expansion interest in new US markets.

Giuseppe Gentile discovered cooking on his family's farm in Locorotondo, Puglia. He trained at Italy's top culinary schools and worked his way through the kitchens of Grand Hotel Rimini and a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris before a tour as a military chef.

Before joining Welcome Home, he co-owned Pizzeria il Fico. As Executive Chef of the group, he sets the culinary direction across every Welcome Home venture and runs the kitchen line at the Beverly Grove flagship.

Yokohama-born and Michelin-recognized, Taiki Kuramoto leads the Japanese culinary program across the Welcome Home portfolio. His Edomae-style omakase pairs traditional technique with a California sensibility.

A winner of Hulu's Best in Dough (2022), he is known for precision, creativity, and a counter presence that turns dinner into an event.

Maggie Eslava began her hospitality career as a private chef before moving into operations leadership. She manages day-to-day operations across the Welcome Home portfolio, with responsibilities spanning team development, training, and unit-level strategy.

Matteo Aondio manages financial reporting, compliance, and operational accounting across the Welcome Home portfolio, ensuring precision and transparency at every level of the business.

Caroline McBride leads marketing strategy, brand partnerships, and sales development for the group. Previously with Serafina Restaurant Group, she brings deep experience in hospitality brand-building and revenue growth.

Gustavo Mosse oversees the financial strategy and capital structure of Welcome Home Hospitality Group, bringing disciplined financial leadership to the portfolio's growth and expansion initiatives.