Camilla Ruth Marcus

Chef, entrepreneur, investor, and activist

Camilla Marcus is a prominent chef, entrepreneur, and activist based in the United States, known for her innovative work in the culinary industry. She is the founder and CEO of west~bourne, a café that initially opened in New York's SoHo neighborhood in January 2018. The establishment is recognized for its focus on sustainability and community, employing a unique business model that emphasizes cross-training staff and communal seating, while also donating a percentage of its revenue to support youth training in the hospitality sector.1 2

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Marcus pursued a diverse educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School, followed by a JD from New York University School of Law and an MBA from NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Additionally, she studied culinary arts at the International Culinary Center.1 2

Career Highlights

Marcus's career began in the kitchen, where she gained experience working at notable restaurants like Dell'anima and alongside chef Tom Colicchio at Riverpark. She later served as the Director of Business Development for Union Square Hospitality Group before founding west~bourne.1 2 During the COVID-19 pandemic, she became actively involved in advocacy efforts to support independent restaurants, joining the Independent Restaurant Coalition and co-founding ROAR to raise funds for laid-off restaurant workers.1 3

Recent Developments

Since relocating to Los Angeles during the pandemic, Marcus has expanded her venture into a direct-to-consumer food brand under the same name, west~bourne, which focuses on regenerative agriculture and sustainable food practices. Her work aims to address climate change through food innovation.3 4 In recognition of her contributions to the industry, she has been named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business.4

Marcus continues to be an influential figure in both culinary and sustainability circles, advocating for systemic changes within the food industry while also raising awareness about environmental issues related to agriculture.