Sweet Basil Expands Ownership Team
Sweet Basil, a Vail village institution, has been part of the bustling epicenter for almost 50 years. Despite the extensive track record, the longtime favorite has seen only a handful of owners throughout its illustrious career. This year marks the one-year anniversary of adding its third partner in restaurant history, Managing Partner of Operations Jessenia Sanabria.
It All Started That One Year
Sweet Basil was founded by Kevin Clair in June 1977 in a space that had seen six restaurants fail in as many years. In the summer of 1987, now-owner Matt Morgan began at Sweet Basil as a busboy. Morgan worked his way up from busboy to bartender to manager, then in 1998, Morgan was asked to become the first managing partner alongside Clair. In 2012, the duo opened Mountain Standard, adding a more casual dining experience. Executive Chef overseeing menus at both Mountain Standard and Sweet Basil, Paul Anders, was added as the second managing partner in 2014. After a 40-year distinguished career as Sweet Basil’s primary owner, Kevin Clair retired, and Matt Morgan officially bought him out to assume majority ownership in 2017. Just last fall, Jessenia Sanabria, then General Manager of Sweet Basil, took on the role of Managing Partner of Operations, officially becoming the third partner in the restaurant’s celebrated history.
Hard Work + Dedication Pays Off
A common theme amongst the ownership team is a previous career that demonstrates a history of hard work and dedication to not only the restaurants but the art of hospitality. Matt Morgan famously had business cards made up that stated “busboy with keys” when he took over ownership from Kevin Clair. And Jessenia was no different. “Tenacity,” a word used by Chef Paul to describe Jessenia, sure fits the bill. In 2017, she and her husband Travis Culver (the Executive Sous Chef of both Mountain Standard and Sweet Basil) moved to Vail from Florida. Upon arrival, she started as a bartender and server at Mountain Standard, worked up to dining room manager, then she took over the bar program of both restaurants, became General Manager of Sweet Basil, and in 2023 transitioned into the Managing Partner of Operations. When asked what qualities brought her to this moment, Jessenia quoted her late father: “Put everything into everything you do despite what it is. If you're going to clean a bathroom, be the best bathroom cleaner. If you're going to pull weeds, be the best weed puller. Put everything into it and you'll get the most out of it even if it is not what you're meant to be doing." A self-proclaimed workaholic, she values hard work and dedication to any role that is being asked of her. Her employees can also be expected to hold that same standard. Many have commented on how during any shift with Jessenia managing the floor, you can expect to find her cleaning tables, running food, or doing anything needed. “Jessenia is a true professional. Her product knowledge across all categories is second to none. Additionally, she has a great personality and sense of humor, always with an eye on the best possible hospitality and quality of experience for our guests,” states Matt Morgan.
Restaurant Families Make the Best Families
For many individuals who call Vail home, they are often without immediate family nearby. Most have moved here on their own on a whim or to try something new for a season or two (for many, that one or two seasons turns into 10+ years rather quickly). When Jessenia and Travis moved to Vail seven years ago, they did not know anyone. But over the course of their time, they ingrained themselves into the community, especially at Mountain Standard and Sweet Basil. Their two young children have found a family amongst the teams at both restaurants, often not wanting to leave at the end of the day once they have found someone to play with. Family is important to Jessenia. Part of the legacy she wishes to leave is to continue the traditions of Sweet Basil and help cultivate those same traditions into Mountain Standard. “One of my favorite things about Sweet Basil (and something I sure hope becomes a legacy of Mountain Standard) is speaking with all of our regulars from the last 47 years. They share stories about how their parents used to bring them there as kids and the wonderful memories they have, and now they bring their kids there with their parents, and it's a family tradition. If there was only one goal to keep while I make my mark within the company, it is keeping that family tradition alive for generations to come.”
What’s Next for the Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard Team?
“I am excited to see the ideas that she continues to bring to the table,” says Chef Paul. With a passion for the hospitality industry, drive for excellence, and an “insane energy” to boot, the sky's the limit for Sanabria. Both Matt Morgan and Chef Paul could not say enough about the excitement of what Jessenia will bring to the table. It proves challenging to reinvent a well-established institution like Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard, but if anyone can be part of the driving force behind both restaurants becoming their best selves, it is Jessenia Sanabria.
We look forward to seeing the growth and development of two already well-loved restaurants over the next 50 years.
