A Santa Monica native, Brian Bornemann grew up around the corner from Isla on Bay and Lincoln and was exposed to the Los Angeles terroir and farmers markets from a young age. While studying economics at UCLA, an after-school kitchen job inspired Brian to visit Tuscany, which then led to a year-long job cooking at an osteria in Siena. Upon graduating, Bornemann returned to Italy, this time just outside of Milan, to hone his skills in the technique of handmade pasta. Bornemann then assumed his post at Potager in Denver under Teri Ripeto, who further instilled in him the importance of honoring all ingredients, as well as the utmost respect for the relationships with farmers and purveyors, before ultimately returning to Los Angeles.

Bornemann next developed his craft under chef Casey Lane for a collective five years. He then began consulting at Employees Only Los Angeles and, joined the team at Michael’s Santa Monica to helm the kitchen at the 40-year old institution when the pandemic hit.

Crudo e Nudo, Bella Dea, and now Isla, are the three projects he has created in the last three years with his partner, Leena Culhane. They are the culmination of his wide-ranging experience and a unique expression of his love for California coastal profiles and using local ingredients.

Leena Culhane is an interdisciplinary artist and creative powerhouse merging her diverse background in art, music, and entrepreneurship with a deep-seated passion for hospitality. A UCLA graduate with degrees in Theatre and Comparative Literature, Leena’s career is a testament to her ability to blend artistic vision with integrated design and operational acumen.

While navigating her twenties as a musician, Leena maintained a strong connection to the restaurant industry between tours, working at several beloved haunts across Los Angeles and Nashville. It was while opening Philip Krajek’s beloved Folk in 2018 that Leena was inspired to imagine one day opening her own place. That opportunity came in 2020, when, amidst global upheaval, she met her business partner, Brian Bornemann, and the two set to work founding and operating Crudo e Nudo, their first of several joint ventures. Following its success, Leena opened two additional restaurants in as many years. In these ventures, she is responsible for shaping brand identity, creative direction, interior design, and fostering an ethos of warmth and connection that resonates deeply with guests. Her hands-on approach to managing teams, design, and brand philosophy is a fundamental artery in the heart of her restaurants.

Leena is eager to connect with fellow creatives and potential collaborators who are passionate about people, spaces, and stories. She welcomes opportunities to share and create extraordinary experiences in commercial and residential projects alike.

With a focus on development, operations, and real estate in the hospitality sector over the past two decades, Shane Murphy has played an integral role in the expansion and growth of the Zinqué Hospitality Group with multiple locations in Los Angeles County, Newport Beach, San Diego, and Scottsdale, and several exciting new ventures underway. Other notable projects that Shane has worked on include Vespertine, Cosa Buona, Bestia, Atrium, Little Joy, The Lonely Oyster, and Plant Food + Wine. For the past five years, Shane owned and operated Santa Monica neighborhood favorite, Little Prince. Prior to focusing on hospitality, Shane was a partner at Urban Pacific West developing luxury real estate throughout the Los Angeles basin. Shane currently holds the title of Executive Vice President at City Street Commerical in Beverly Hills, a boutique commercial real estate firm. Combined studies at UCLA and UCSB further serve as a strong foundation for his knowledge of global trends in lifestyle driven consumer markets. During his teenage years into his early 20’s, Shane was a competitive surfer living in Hawaii, Half Moon Bay, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach.

Born and raised on the westside of Los Angeles, Kent Thompson's passion for hospitality began percolating at a young age. Originally in pursuit of a career in the culinary realm, Thompson landed a back-of-house position at Suzanne Goin's institutional Tavern restaurant in Brentwood, only to realize that the bar was his true calling. Thompson then moved over to Venice's longstanding Tasting Kitchen to work under accoladed bartender Justin Pike, where he would hone his craft for the following eight years. During the pandemic, Thomspon also tended bar at LA stalwarts including Bavel and Here's Looking At You before teaming back up with former Tasting Kitchen colleague, Chef Brian Bornemann, to open his sophomore concept Isla. As Bar Director of Isla, Thompson continues to showcase his creativity, expertly pairing his craft cocktails with Bornemann's seasonal dishes, and engage daily with local and visiting patrons, shaker in hand.

Indiana native Brittany Hoffman is a certified sommelier and the Wine Director of chef Brian Bornemann and designer Leena Culhane's Crudo e Nudo in Santa Monica. Hoffman delved into the world of wine over a decade ago in New York City, holding positions at decorated establishments including Colonie and Charlie Bird. Hoffman also honed her craft working with importers and distributing companies Grand Cru Selections and Coeur Wine Co before relocating to the West Coast to join the Crudo e Nudo team. Come winter 2023, Hoffman will oversee the wine program at Bornemann and Culhane's third project, Isla.