We were lucky to catch up with Christophe Pienkowski recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christophe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

After a 30-year career in gastronomy—first as a French chef working internationally, and later as a brand ambassador representing prestigious spirits houses across Asia, Europe, and the United States, I reached a moment in my career where launching my own venture felt like the natural next step. That vision became Ephemere Los Angeles.

Over the past decade, I have cultivated an extensive network throughout the United States, particularly in California. Combined with my passion for developing brands and my deep appreciation for creating memorable experiences, the idea evolved organically. Whether through exclusive culinary pairing events, intimate tastings of rare spirits, or curated Champagne experiences, my goal has always been to bring people together around exceptional moments.

Los Angeles felt like the obvious place to bring this concept to life. It is a city driven by creativity, diversity, and opportunity, an environment where unique experiences can truly flourish for those who know how to recognize and embrace them.

Christophe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It all started with my grandmothers’ cooking. Their delicious food and passion for the kitchen inspired me so deeply that I decided I wanted to become a chef when I was just eight years old.

After four years of culinary school in France during my teenage years, I began traveling the world to pursue that passion, discovering new cultures and cuisines along the way.

After this wonderful chapter in my culinary career marked by Michelin Stars experience, (e.g. winning the ”Grand Prize Marc Veyrat culinary contest” -a famous three Michelin Stars Chef in France-) , I almost accidentally became an international ambassador for a Cognac brand. This opportunity led me to travel extensively across Europe and Asia, and eventually to the United States, where I also had the pleasure of representing a renowned single-malt Scotch whisky.

My passion for hospitality and fine spirits remains as strong as ever. With Ephemere Los Angeles, my goal is to help brands grow in this highly competitive market while also creating unique experiences for consumers.

True to our name, these moments are by nature ephemeral, an evening, a few hours, where guests can forget about their daily worries and simply enjoy exceptional spirits and champagnes, sometimes paired with delicious food. Along the way, they discover the stories, history, and fun facts behind these products, always in an atmosphere that is warm, elegant, and never boring.

What truly sets Ephemere Los Angeles apart, and what we are most proud of, is the way we operate, more like a creative studio than a traditional agency. The project is still at the very beginning of its journey, Ephemere was launched in December 2025, and we deliberately keep our vision open and evolving.

There is already much more behind the concept than what we currently present publicly. Each week, together with my team, Jeanne, Naomie, and Hugo, we uncover new opportunities and explore untapped territories.

In many ways, we feel we are only just getting started. And while there is a great deal more we have in store, some things are best revealed in time.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Over the past ten years in the U.S. market, I’ve had the opportunity to meet thousands of people across the trade and hospitality industries, as well as passionate consumers, through hundreds of events, tastings, and presentations. It has been an incredible journey, filled with inspiring encounters and meaningful relationships.

Some of those connections naturally became my very first clients. In this industry, trust goes a long way, especially when it is built through shared experiences and memorable moments.

My former partners and employers were also instrumental in the early days of Ephemere Los Angeles. In fact, my very first client was Glenfiddich, the brand I previously had the privilege of representing on the West Coast as its ambassador, a partnership that coming full circle felt particularly meaningful.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe reputation is built first and foremost on authenticity. In hospitality, people immediately sense whether your passion is genuine. Having started my career as a chef before moving into the world of fine spirits, I’ve always approached my work with the same philosophy: it’s not just about a product, it’s about the experience and the story behind it.

Over the years, I’ve focused on creating meaningful moments, whether through tastings, culinary collaborations, or intimate events where people can truly connect with a brand. When those experiences are sincere and memorable, relationships naturally follow.

In the end, reputation isn’t something you can manufacture. It’s built slowly; through trust, consistency, and the quality of the experiences you create. If people remember how you made them feel, then you’ve done your job well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ephemerelosangeles.com
• Instagram: @ephemere_losangeles
• Facebook: Ephemere Los Angeles
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-pienkowski-b98500a3