Our Mission
To enhance and educate the palate with the freshest ingredients and flavors. We strive to surprise and excite each guest with personal care and service.
Our Mission
To enhance and educate the palate with the freshest ingredients and flavors. We strive to surprise and excite each guest with personal care and service.
Ellen Gracyalny
Proprietor
Ellen grew up cooking in her family kitchen, where she developed a passion for feeding people. She carried this passion from her home kitchen, through a four-year psychology degree, then to culinary school at Johnson & Wales University. She opened Gracie’s on New Year’s Eve in 1998. At Gracie’s, she is known for building a team that is excited about culinary artistry, wowing guests, and championing locally sourced food. Most nights, she can be found working the line, chatting with guests, or encouraging her staff to “wish it, dream it, do it.”
In 2012, she opened Ellie’s as an extension of the bread program at Gracie’s. With Ellie’s, Ellen and her team strive each day to stand out in the community as a loyal, soulful, nourishing neighborhood eatery.
Chef Matthew Varga
Executive Chef
Chef Matthew VargaChef Varga is from Connecticut, where he would spend his childhood days crabbing, fishing, and soaking in the aromas of his family’s busy kitchen. He began his culinary training by taking food and baking classes in high school, and started his first job in a restaurant at the age of 16. Chef Varga attended Johnson & Wales University, where he received his associate degree in culinary arts in 2003, and his bachelor’s degree in food service management in 2005.
Chef Varga began working at Gracie’s in 2007 and was promoted to Executive Chef in 2010. Since then, Gracie’s has won the AAA four-diamond award five years straight and received three Diner’s Choice awards from Open Table. Chef Varga has been featured in Art Culinaire and as a guest chef for the Democratic Governors Association Taste of America gala.
Justin Bothur
Hospitality & Wine Leader
Justin BothurJustin discovered his love for food and wine while studying Philosophy and Art History in Boston, working in some of the city’s finest restaurants. Excelling in service and leadership, Justin traveled to the resort areas of Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, and coastal Maine before arriving in New York City to further hone his craft. In New York, Justin found his mentors with various Sommeliers and wine professionals, and he achieved certification himself with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013. A growing family saw him leave the city and settle in coastal Rhode Island, where he resides with his family and seven chickens. He hopes to lead Gracie’s hospitality team into the next decade, constantly innovating and bringing a fresh perspective to wine and fine dining.
Juliet DeMasi
Beverage & Spirits Leader
Juliet DeMasi is a Rhode Island local passionate about hospitality and mixology. She grew up with an appreciation for nature and the delicious ingredients the state’s coastlines, forests, and farms have to offer. She finds inspiration in her Armenian and Italian family’s culinary traditions, the seasons, and her experiences traveling, eating, and drinking abroad.
After studying fashion design and photography in Boston, Juliet found her creative outlet in bartending, working in restaurants and bars in the city and Cambridge. Juliet has brought her knowledge and experience back to Providence and is excited to share her passion and creations with her guests daily.
Maria Ritchey
Private Events Hospitality Leader
Growing up in rural Ohio, Maria developed a deep appreciation for farm fresh food. She was raised in a large family and was always involved in preparing dinner. During high school, she joined a Culinary Arts Program with the goal of attending Johnson & Wales. To gain more experience, she worked on the line and ran food at City Square Steakhouse in Wooster, Ohio.
For Maria, moving to Providence opened up the world of fine dining and Gracie’s was the first place on the map. She was hired in 2017 as a Food Runner and quickly became a Back Server. In 2019, she worked as a line cook at Ellie’s as they grew and transitioned to their location on Weybosset. Since then, she has worked at Rhode Island Hospital and at Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Harvest Kitchen Program, managing the kitchen and coordinating catering. Staying part of the Gracie’s & Ellie’s family was always important to her and has held several part-time positions, including Banquet Captain, Pastry Assistant, Host, Back Server, and Line Cook / Barista. She is eager and excited to use her extensive knowledge to build unique and special events.
Giulianna Galiano
Communications and Development Leader
Giulianna is a Jersey girl at heart, growing up amongst a large Italian American family of which celebrated food, wine and good company any chance they could throughout her childhood. She was taught how to cook by her grandmother and father. Both of her parents were artists and gardeners so Giulianna immersed herself in “the arts” and the concept of sustainability at a very young age. When she wanted to pursue writing in college, she was also encouraged to explore culinary school to create more of a direct career path which would encompass her love for hospitality and food. After frequenting The Culinary Institute of America and majoring with a B.A. in culinary arts management, she spent some time traveling to Italy on a few trips where she got to network with farmers, Chefs and study Italian wine as well as their ingredients. Giulianna has experience in front of house management, cooking, event planning, human resources and running her own account from private golf clubs and restaurants to corporate settings.
Giulianna serves as the ventures’ Human Resources representative, as well as structuring behind the scenes systems that help the operations run more efficiently. She can help Teammates resolve any personnel issues as well as aid in providing resources and support for both leadership and Teammates to enhance the development and growth of the organization.
