Meet Tessa Velazquez and Veronica Cabezas | Founders, YESBABE

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tessa Velazquez and Veronica Cabezas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tessa and Veronica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We craved a different kind of food experience – one focused on nourishing food that celebrates its origins and cultural stories. We saw a lack of these experiences led by female chefs, and a need for spaces infused with cultural exploration, diverse traditions, and genuine connection. While passionate about food’s power to bring people together, we wanted to break away from the demanding schedules of traditional restaurants where the culinary team is usually completely separated from the diners. By breaking down the wall of the ‘back of house’ and the ‘front of house,’ we could share in the experience together – making it more dynamic, inspirational, and, therefore, unforgettable. YESBABE is our response to this craving and a way of filling this gap. It’s a unique, female-focused collective where creativity thrives. We express ourselves through food, embracing playfulness, honoring heritage, and sharing our passion for culture.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

YESBABE is a female-focused culinary, hospitality, and lifestyle collective which exists to preserve and celebrate food heritage by creating bespoke culinary experiences and activations. We use food as our language so that we can all live in a more interconnected world that thrives on the joy and well-being of one another.

We are based on a collaborative model, made up by a core team of female chefs and also working with chefs from other countries such as Juan Suarez de Lezo from El Quinto Elemento in Spain as well as the “guardians of recipes” that exist in every family to highlight and preserve those heirloom patrimonies.

What also sets us apart is the multidisciplinary network of advisors, partners, collaborators that support the growth of YESBABE and bring diverse expertise to the brand and our corporate culture. We take great pride in infusing YESBABE with holistic values that extend beyond gastronomy. These include prioritizing personal wellbeing, fostering a sense of camaraderie, and using food as a means to forge connections and share stories that bring people together.

YESBABE is a Feeling.

YESBABE wants the world to know our profound love for people and for creating experiences that bring them together. The brand is a testament to our personal journeys, so we are building it with care and intention. Just like the heirloom recipes we celebrate, YESBABE aims to have a timeless and enduring power that resonates across generations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

There is so much to do and see in this magical city but let’s try!

Monday, Meatpacking, Art and Salsa:
Fuel up at the iconic Coppelia diner for Cuban classics, then bike the West Side Highway taking in views of the city’s iconic skyline. Make stops to browse the cutting-edge artwork at our favorite Chelsea galleries – Gagosian, Tanya Bonakdar, Gladstone, and more. You can’t miss the stunning Little Island Park and the Whitney Museum. For lunch, grab a table at The Standard’s Chic Grill or go casual with lobster rolls at the Chelsea Market spot. Enjoy dinner at the wonderfully overwhelming Eataly before heading to famous Latin Mondays at TAJ by NYC Salsa Queen Talia Castro Pozo for a live salsa band and some serious dance moves.

Tuesday, Downtown Immersion:
Start downtown at the 9/11 Memorial and newly renovated World Trade Center transit hub. Pop into one of our favorite hidden gem work spots, the gorgeous Cornwell Coffee Hall in Wall Street, before grabbing a banh mi at Bahn Mi Cart parkes on Pine St. Wander the cobblestone streets of the South Street Seaport, stopping for a drink at the swanky John George club without staying for dinner. Then, it’s off to the Lower East Side, one of the city’s most exciting food neighborhoods. Don’t miss the 5 Jotas Jamon Iberico with patatas bravas at Ernesto’s, the affordable & exceptional omakase at Omakase By No Name, the iconic ramen at Ivan Ramen, lox and bagels from century-old Russ & Daughters, a burger The Corner Bar, pastrami at Katz’s, Wagyu steak at Wildair.

Wednesday, Central Park, Museums, Upper West Side:
Spend the day exploring the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side or cross Central Park to visit the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art. As the sun sets, linger over drinks in the park, taking in the scenery. Then head to our favorite new Levantine restaurant, Bustan, for some of the best Eastern Mediterranean food in NYC. Or you could go the comfort food route with Jacob’s Pickles’s seriously decadent fried chicken and waffles.

Thursday, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, night at Public Records
Take the iconic walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, into the picture-perfect neighborhood of DUMBO. Once an artists’ enclave, it’s now home to covetable lofts, decadent dining, and Instagrammable Manhattan skyline views. Explore the charming streets of Vinegar Hill, including trying to finagle an invite into the exclusive Dumbo House club, and have lunch at Cecconi’s, Gran Electrica, or Swoonys. Then, make your way to the gorgeous tree-lined brownstone blocks of Clinton Hill for dinner. Our go-to is Fradei- be sure to ask the manager, Jordan Veran, formerly of acclaimed spot Sauce, for superb wine pairings. Or for an unbeatable al fresco experience, head to Colonia Verde, one of our all-time favorite Latin American restaurants with Sunday asados and standout wines.

But the night is still young! Don’t miss Public Records, where you can dance into the wee hours surrounded by great people and music

Friday, Globally Inspired Flavors:
Take the N/W train to Astoria, Queens, for an around-the-world eating tour that highlights this melting pot neighborhood’s incredible diversity. Start with an authentic Greek lunch at beloved Taverna Kyclades or go the Egyptian route with a feast at Kabab Cafe. For a mid-day pick-me-up, grab vibrant acai bowls at the bustling Brazilian Terminal marketplace, stocked with exotic produce and more delicacies from South America.
Head back to Manhattan for dinner at our current obsession is Quique Crudo from the acclaimed Casa Enrique team. Cap off your global gastronomy tour with live jazz at the intimate, no-frills club Smalls Jazz Club in the West Village.

Saturday, Williamsburg and Greenpoint:

Start with a restorative visit to the Williamsburg Bath House before brunching on killer tacos and margaritas at our go-to spot, Zona Rosa, on Lorimer Street. Then, walk off those calories strolling the streets of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Enjoy wine in the backyard of sceney hangout Sauced Wine Bar. Listen to underground DJs at the eclectic Lot Radio in the evening before an immersive night of performers, music, and dancing at the uniquely wild House of Yes.

Sunday, Bedstuy Block party and YESBABE’s Sobremesa brunch:

Hit up historic Bed Stuy, Brooklyn where the iconic Tompkins Avenue is closed down every Sunday in the Summer for an activation called Building Black Bed Stuy. Stroll and shop from local Black vendors and artisans and dance the afternoon away to the beats of local deejays.

We’ll save the most exclusive experience for last – an invite to one of our famed YESBABE all day Sobremesa brunches in one of our homes or catch a multi-course dinner and party at one of our pop-up En’tablao’s …..because we are the best restaurant you’ve NOW heard of on Shoutout LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Carolina (or Caro, as her friends call her) is a highly regarded Chef in NYC and beyond. But Caro’s not just a chef; she’s an artist, a storyteller, and a culinary creative. She’s always uplifting and supporting and gathering and coming chefs. We actually met at one of her dinner parties over Vero’s pan con tomaq and Tessa’s tahini chocolate chip cookies. At that time, we were both doing the private chef thing and bonded over our grievances with the industry and our shared passion for food. It was there, in her kitchen, that YESBABE was born.

We owe so much to Caro. As a trailblazer in the industry as a Latina Chef, she has always used a heart-centered and community-based approach. She has been a cheerleader for YESBABE since the very beginning. We were pinching ourselves when we finally co-hosted an En’Tablao event with her in April, celebrating her Brazilian heritage. She is one of the most loving forces we know.

Website: www.yesbabenyc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesbabenyc/

Image Credits
For images: Paolo Verzani @paoloverzani @nawihealth Albena Stoyanova @albitoo Eric Dargan @ericdargan