We recently connected with Gregory Leon and have shared our conversation below.
Gregory, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I hope to build a legacy as someone who used my restaurant not just to serve exceptional food but as a beacon of inclusivity, community, and opportunity.
I want to be remembered as a chef and restaurateur who believed in creating a space where everyone feels welcome, and where the power of food goes beyond nourishment to foster connection and change.
Through Amilinda, I have sought to use our platform to uplift others—whether by hosting pop-ups to help budding chefs and entrepreneurs launch their dreams, providing opportunities for refugees to establish themselves in their new city through programs like Tables Across Borders, or championing initiatives like Hungry Hearts.
I also want to be known for recognizing the talent and hard work of my team, giving full credit to my cooks and sous chefs for their creativity and dedication to crafting exceptional dishes. Equally, I honor the efforts of the bar team and front-of-house staff for their roles in creating memorable dining experiences. By fostering an environment where everyone has input—whether it’s on dishes, drinks, or service—I hope to inspire a sense of ownership and pride among my team, knowing that collaboration and recognition lead to a stronger, more passionate workforce.
I want people to say that I believed in giving back, uplifting others, and creating something bigger than myself—a restaurant that truly served its community in every sense.
Gregory, 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?
My name is Gregory León, and I’m the chef and owner of Amilinda, a restaurant located in Milwaukee that draws inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of Spain and Portugal. My journey into the restaurant industry began in 1994 when I moved to San Francisco with a deep love for food and cooking. Over the 30 years I have worked in the restaurant world, I’ve honed my craft, blending traditional flavors and techniques, and building a space where food not only nourishes but tells a story.
At Amilinda, we specialize in offering a unique menu inspired by the Iberian Peninsula, showcasing seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients with a thoughtful balance of innovation and tradition. Beyond our food, what sets us apart is our commitment to the community. We’ve used Amilinda as a platform to support others by hosting pop-ups for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs, helping refugees establish themselves, and collaborating on initiatives like Hungry Hearts and Tables Across Borders.
The thing I’m most proud of is fostering an environment that celebrates inclusivity, teamwork, and creativity. I make it a point to credit my team—cooks, sous chefs, bartenders, and front-of-house staff—for their invaluable contributions to the dining experience. Their hard work and input on everything from the menu to the drinks program are vital to what we do, and I believe this collaborative approach sets Amilinda apart.
If there’s one thing, I’d like my followers to know about me, it’s that I’ve built something meaningful—a restaurant that isn’t just a place to eat but a space that uplifts others, strengthens our community, and reflects the values he instilled in me: hard work, generosity, and a deep respect for people.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
At Amilinda, staying connected with our guests has always been one of our top priorities. From the very beginning, we understood that creating a dining experience isn’t just about food—it’s about building relationships.
Through our social media channels, we’ve been able to share our journey from PopUp restaurant to our permanent home on Wisconsin Ave. Sharing updates on new menu items to behind-the-scenes moments that reflect the heart and soul of our restaurant keeps our guest engaged and make them feel like they are part of the tribe. Our newsletters keep our guests in the loop with exclusive updates, special events, and seasonal menus crafted with care. And when we take the time to make personal calls to our guests, it’s about more than just communication; it’s about showing our gratitude and nurturing those connections.
We’ve built brand loyalty by consistently delivering exceptional food and service, by always going the extra mile to make every visit memorable, and by being a leader in giving back to our community. Supporting local causes, mentoring the next generation of culinary talent, and celebrating diversity have been at the core of what we do.
Amilinda isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a community. And it’s thanks to you—our loyal guests—that we’ve been able to make our mark, one dish and one meaningful interaction at a time.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The COVID pandemic brought challenges that none of us could have anticipated, and like so many others in the hospitality industry, Amilinda had to adapt quickly to survive. When in-person dining became impossible, we pivoted from being a full-service, dine-in restaurant to offering takeout only. It was a monumental shift, but our commitment to providing exceptional food and service never wavered.
During that time, we also felt a deep responsibility to support our community. Through initiatives like Hungry Hearts, we were able to provide meals to those in need, ensuring that even during the most uncertain times, we could be a source of comfort and care for our neighbors. It was a reminder of how powerful food can be in bringing people together, even when we couldn’t share a table.
We also had to reimagine our financial strategy to ensure Amilinda’s survival. This meant streamlining our operations, prioritizing the most critical aspects of our business, and getting creative to sustain the restaurant.
The loyalty and support of our guests made all the difference, and we will always be grateful for the way our community rallied around us. Several of our loyal guests sent us their stimulus checks during the shutdown, a gesture of kindness and faith in what Amilinda means to them. They wanted to ensure that when life returned to normal, their favorite restaurant would still be here—a place where they could once again gather, celebrate, and create new memories.
The challenges of the pandemic tested us, but they also reinforced why we do what we do. At Amilinda, it’s about more than just food—it’s about resilience, community, and creating a space where people feel cared for, no matter the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Amilinda.com
- Instagram: @ChefGregLeon @Amilindamke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amilinda
- Twitter: @Amilindamke
Image Credits
the headshot of me is by Kevin Miyazaki
the remaining photos I took