Germain Michel grew up in Valence, France, in the heart of Rhone Valley. Germain’s childhood dream was to work in the restaurant industry. When he was 14 year old, he began working in the kitchen of a traditional restaurant in France, where he learned French cooking skills as a kitchen apprentice. He then went on to work in a historical French Brasserie and learned the art of both table service and wine service. Germain moved to the U.S. when he was 21, and met Samie Didda, a restaurant owner. Germain started working with Samie at “Chouchou” Restaurant, as the general manager for the restaurant. Soon after, Samie and Germain opened their first concept together in 2006: Amelie Wine Bar, on Polk Street - a European wine bar with French small plates and cuisine. The location has had great success and has received many awards, including the Best Wine Bar SF, Best Ambiance, and Best Bar Soundtrack, among others. In 2009, Samie moved to New York. This inspired the pair to open another Amelie Wine Bar, in the West Village of Manhattan, in 2012. A few years later, they opened a Californian-French brasserie called Michel, in Oakland, California. The restaurant received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide 3 years in a row and was mentioned in New York Times as one of the top 50 places to go in the U.S. Germain and Samie then decided to open a second location in Manhattan, on the Upper West Side, which has also received multiple Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. Amelie’s success is a result of attention to detail, a wonderful staff, and excellent wine selection. Germain is a certified sommelier from the Court of Master Sommelier and a restaurant advisor/beverage specialist for the SBDC California. Germain's passion for wine eventually led him to explore the production side of winemaking. He purchased land and partnered with a winemaker in the Languedoc region of France. Germain and Francois Fabre created a Cuvee and converted the vineyard to biodynamic farming and winemaking. The Cuvee has received over 92 points in the Parker Guide every year, and also achieved Top New Winery in Languedoc, from Wine Spectator Magazine. The wine is now distributed in over 20 states in the USA. Germain then partnered with a winemaker in Mendoza, Argentina. Creating a new wine label, "Cassette," which features a blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Both of these wines are available at Amelie and many wine bars and restaurants around the USA. The next endeavor for Germain and Samie is in Fairfax, CA, in West Marin. They will be combining the Amelie concept of good service, excellent wine, and French cuisine, with a full-service bakery. This exciting new project will be the fourth Amelie to open its doors. Amelie Cafe will provide an enjoyable atmosphere and ambiance that Amelie is well known for, and will also give patrons the opportunity to take home delicious French-inspired food and pastries.

Samie Didda grew up in the Montmartre district in Paris. He began his culinary career as a waiter at Tarte Julie and quickly worked his way up to a corporate role overseeing a chain of 30 “Tarte Julie” pastry shops throughout France. Samie opened his first business, the now famous Les Petits Mitrons pastry shop, 30 years ago in Paris and it is still going strong and run by his brother. Samie became an American restauranteur in 2003 when he opened French bistro Chouchou in San Francisco. It was there he met his friend and future partner Germain Michel and together they would go on to open Amélie wine bars in San Francisco (2007) and Manhattan (2012 and 2017). All three restaurants, which share a modern design fusing American urban and Parisian chic, are internationally recognized with across-the-board positive reviews. They are a beautiful representation of Samie and Germain’s creativity and passion for quality wine and innovative food.