DORO SOUL FOOD - Key Persons
Ethiopian-born, French trained, Michelin-starred Chef Elias Taddesse's is a two-time restaurateur and a rising star in the Washington restaurant scene. Since launching Mélange two years ago, he has been named a finalist for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's RAMMYs Rising Culinary Star of the Year 2022, and Eater DC's Chef of the Year in 2021.
In January 2023, Chef Elias Taddesse was named as a 2023 James Beard Awards Semifinalist for the "Emerging Chef" category. This is defined by the James Beard Foundation as "A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come, while contributing positively to their broader community."
From his time studying under legendary chefs in France, to receiving a Michelin star as head chef at Caviar Russe in New York City, to opening his own concept, Mélange, Elias has always used food to delight people and tell stories with every ingredient.
Chef Elias started his first DC pop-up in 2016 at Neal Place Tap & Garden - a summer project by Mixtress Gina Chersevani. Later that year, he started a burger pop-up called Salt n' Pepper Burgers at Harvey's Market butcher shop in Union Market. In January 2017, Elias would go on to move his pop-up to Wet Dog Tavern with the new name Melange, which became a brick & mortar restaurant in 2020. He opened his most recent restaurant, Doro Soul Food, in October, 2022.