A born entrepreneur, Emmanuel has been creating opportunities since he was a teenager. He worked  a variety of jobs early on that helped him develop a keen business acumen, including insights about how to build constructive relationships and negotiate profitable deals.  After fast-tracking himself at the European Commission at age 24 and a successful sales career with Mercedes Benz, Emmanuel longed for the sense of ownership and entrepreneurial freedom that opening his own company would bring.  

In 1999, Emmanuel created the Rouge Tomate concept based on his passion for hospitality, desire to build a creative and professional work environment, and belief in creating a socially responsible company. In 2001, Emmanuel opened Rouge Tomate in his native Brussels, in a lovingly restored townhouse on Avenue Louise.  

With Rouge Tomate New York’s fall 2008 launch, Emmanuel looks forward to embracing the energy of New York and introducing the Rouge Tomate concept to what he describes as an “innovative and open-minded city.”

Emmanuel holds a Master in Business and Management (ICHEC, Brussels) and serves as a member in several boards.

Growing up as a “food junkie”, Nil enjoyed opportunities to splurge once a year on a culinary trip while on vacations with her family.  She may not have realized it at the time, but these trips sparked a passion for restaurants, resulting in Nil fulfilling her dream of opening a restaurant and playing an integral role the industry she fell in love with as a child.  

First a seasoned corporate lawyer at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and later a management consultant for McKinsey & Company, Nil found her niche in 2007 after a fortuitous client dinner when she met Emmanuel Verstraeten and learned about his Rouge Tomate concept.  For Nil, the transition from corporate consultancy to working with an emerging restaurant company enabled her to see a project from implementation to completion, affecting change while building from the ground up.  At Rouge Tomate, Nil oversees day-to-day decisions for Rouge Tomate Group working side by side with Emmanuel. She is also in charge of legal affairs.

Nil holds a J.D. and a LL.M. in European law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels University) and a LL.M. from the New York University School of Law. She is a member of the New York Bar and is a former member of the Brussels Bar.

Jérôme graduated as a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in 2002. Specialized in corporate finance, he joined the audit and consulting company BDO Gendrot in Paris after graduating and, in 2006, moved to Deloitte & Associates.

Jérôme joined the Rouge Tomate Group in March 2008 as Chief Financial Officer.