Every story needs its characters.
Meet the people behind The Story of Mi Cariño: the chefs, beverage experts and hospitality leaders bringing each chapter to life through food, drink, service and a shared obsession with the details.
Meet the people behind The Story of Mi Cariño: the chefs, beverage experts and hospitality leaders bringing each chapter to life through food, drink, service and a shared obsession with the details.
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Hector González-Mora, a Johnson & Wales alum, is the chef and co-creator behind Charlotte favorites Chilito, El Toro Bruto and Noche Bruta. His culinary journey also includes roles at The Asbury, The Porter’s House, and the former littleSpoon and Comida, as well as meaningful work at nonprofit Project 658, where he used food as a vehicle for community building and empowerment among immigrant families. Raised in L.A. and Charlotte and rooted in his Mexican heritage, Hector crafts soulful, ingredient-driven interpretations of Latin cuisine. As Executive Chef of The Story of Mi Cariño in South End, he channels bold flavors and refined technique into dishes that tell a story and stir the soul.
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Mark Gonzales is a seasoned hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience, a Level II Sommelier certification, and a track record that includes training under a Michelin-starred chef and earning Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. He’s opened four restaurants and brings a guest-first mindset rooted in warmth, gratitude, and meticulous attention to detail. Mark is also a Certified Mezcal Specialist through the Agave Spirits Institute and is studying to become a Certified Mezcal Sommelier. A West Coast native and proud Charlotte resident, Mark is also a passionate music lover whose playlists reflect his eclectic taste and storytelling spirit. Outside of the restaurant, he’s applying his same drive for excellence to training for his first Ironman 70.3 triathlon.
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Charlotte native Henry Schmulling brings two decades of experience and a creative edge to his role as Beverage Director for B-Side Group. He’s the mind behind the beverage program at all B-Side concepts and has helped shape standout beverage menus across the city as a consultant. Formerly Beverage Director at Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, his work at Merchant & Trade and Angeline’s earned back-to-back Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards nominations—the first in North Carolina to do so. A member of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG), Henry is known for his inventive style, leadership, and deep roots in the local craft cocktail scene.
Good stories need good people. If hospitality is your craft,
we’d love to hear from you.
