Owner / Executive Chef

Chef Mitsunobu Nagae is the owner / executive chef of Tribeca’s warm, sophisticated and elegant French restaurant, l’abeille. Chef Mitsunobu also serves as Corporate Executive Chef for Kuma Hospitality Group. Born in Japan, chef Mitsunobu first started cooking at 15 years old and grew up in a single parent household where he would prepare lunch and dinner for his sisters. “Cooking started growing on me and I started experimenting with different cuisines. Fun fact: Béchamel sauce was the first French cuisine I tried making!”

Nagae’s passion quickly evolved into a career path, and he moved to Lyon, France in 2007 to attend culinary school at the esteemed Tsuji Culinary Institute. It was here that Nagae first became mesmerized by Joël Robuchon’s talent + cuisine– he watched a documentary about the chef that inspired his cooking philosophy + techniques. Before graduating, he received the school’s highest award, Student of The Year.

Motivated to work with the best chefs in the industry, his first chef position was at three-Michelin starred restaurant, Régis et Jacques Marcon in France. This foundation gave him the experience to land at Le Doyen, another three-Michelin starred restaurant in France helmed by Christian Le Squer in 2014.

In 2008, Nagae’s dreams were realized as he joined three Michelin-starred Château Restaurant Joël Robuchon in Tokyo. During this time, he worked alongside and was mentored by Chef Alain Verzeloli, Christophe Bellanca and Yuichiro Watanabe. Since then, Chef Mitsu has held senior positions at Michelin-Star restaurants including e.t.c. (Paris), L’osier (Tokyo) and L’atelier Joel Robuchon (New York).

Chef Mitsu finds inspiration for new dishes at the farmer’s market by seeing various ingredients he comes across and imagining the flavor combinations he can create. Each time he steps into the kitchen he puts thoughtful consideration to respecting traditions of French cuisine. At home, Chef Mitsu likes reading cookbooks while sipping his favorite coffee.

Group General Manager

Christophe Chatron-Michaud is the Group General Manager for KUMA HOSPITALITY GROUP, providing leadership to ensure the overall success of its three concepts, Michelins-starred l’abeille & Sushi Ichimura, and the intimate l’abeille à côté.

Born and raised in Megève, France, Christophe initially aspired to become a chiropractor. However, after graduating with a Baccalaureate Degree in Science, and while working as a server during summer breaks, he discovered a passion for the restaurant industry and began his career in the south of France at Two Michelin-starred restaurant L’Amandier de Mougins, and Three Michelin-starred L’Oasis.

At 22, he was offered his first management opportunity in Westchester, New York, where he honed his skills under the mentorship of renowned restaurateur Robert Meyzen at la Crémaillère. Over the next 30 years, he managed the restaurants of some of New York’s top chefs, including David Bouley, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Daniel Boulud, Charlie Palmer, Gray Kunz, and the Joël Robuchon restaurants in New York where he worked closely with Chef Alain Verzeroli and Chef Mitsunobu Nagae on the opening of Shun, and Le Jardinier.

In joining the KUMA HOSPITALITY GROUP, Christophe is aligned with the ownership’s core values, and eager to reinforce the existing standards for optimal performance and spearheading the restaurant group’s next phase of development through its unwavering commitment to excellence.

On spare time, Christophe enjoys spending time with his family, being his wife Lissan’s kitchen prep-assistant, visiting restaurants, reading, streaming, playing tennis, and fitness activities.

Group Beverage Director

David Bérubé is the beverage director at Michelin-starred French-Japanese restaurant, l’abeille, l’abeille à côté as well as Sushi Ichimura. Most recently, he was the assistant head sommelier at DANIEL and prior to that, head sommelier at Bar Boulud Boston.

Originally from a small town near Quebec City, Bérubé’s first job in hospitality was as a busboy at the age of 14, sparking interest in a career in the industry. Fast forward to 2018, David passed his Level 3/Advanced Sommelier test and began pursuing the Master path. Thereafter, he accepted an opportunity as a sommelier at DANIEL in 2019 before being promoted to assistant head sommelier in 2021. Over the course of three and a half years, the position instilled new skills and taught him to perform under pressure while finding his leadership style.

On days off, David enjoys precious time with family and working out, while also working to complete his Master Sommelier studies.

Guest Experience Director

Satomi Takagi is the guest experience director at l’abeille, l’abeille à côté and Sushi Ichimura. Previously, she attended the International Wine Center West and has managed opening staffs at Michelin-starred restaurants including The Modern, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, and The Baccarat Hotel. Most recently, Satomi led the team at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in New York, helping the restaurant achieve its second Michelin star.

Originally from Japan, Satomi has spent two decades delivering high-level service while leading teams in New York’s most recognized restaurants. Satomi brings warm appreciation and attention at Kuma Hospitality Group.

On days off, you can find Satomi on a stroll in Central Park, at classical concerts or sharing champagne with friends.

Chef de Cuisine

Eric Starkman is the chef de cuisine at l’abeille. Leading the kitchen alongside executive chef Mitsunobu Nagae, Starkman has worked in the finest kitchens in the U.S. and trained under some of the best chefs of our generation, including Grant Achatz (Alinea) and Daniel Boulud (Daniel). Prior to joining l'abeille, chef Eric was an executive sous chef at Dinex Group and worked on the opening of Le Gratin and Centurion at One Vanderbilt. In October 2023 Eric won the Creativity Prize at the Worldwide œufs en meurette Championship hosted by Château du Clos de Vougeot.

Eric's culinary career started at 17 in Philadelphia working as a cook while attending The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. While in school, Eric trained at notable Philadelphia restaurants and ultimately found his home at Townsend, one of Philadelphia's historic and most revered French kitchens and rose to sous chef position. To further expand his culinary skills, Eric went on to work at Alinea, Grant Achatz's world-renowned three Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago before moving back to Philadelphia to take the helm of Townsend as chef de cuisine. Eric successfully led Townsend through a relocation from South Philadelphia to Rittenhouse Square and secured a 3 bell review from Craig Laban (Philadelphia Inquirer) in March 2020.

Eric moved to New York in 2020 to head the kitchen of Nice Matin, a beloved 25 year old French Brasserie in the Upper West Side. After two years at the helm of Nice Matin as executive chef and positive reviews from the Michelin Guide, his desire to continue developing his skills led him to Dinex Group with Daniel Boulud and helped open Le Gratin and Centurion at One Vanderbilt as executive sous chef.

Born in Brooklyn to a Syrian Jewish father and Italian Catholic mother, Eric has a deep love and interest in nature, animal husbandry, and music.