Lena Ciardullo is the Executive Chef of Union Square Cafe, Union Square Hospitality  Group’s (USHG) beloved flagship restaurant that first opened in 1985. Prior to joining the  Union Square Cafe team, Lena was the Executive Chef at Marta, Caffe Marchio, and Vini e  Fritti, USHG’s Roman-inspired restaurants located in The Redbury New York. 

Raised in Naperville, Illinois, Lena attended the University of Illinois where she received her  bachelor’s degree in Communications. During her undergraduate years, Lena studied  abroad in Rome, where her love of food and hospitality was ignited. Upon her return, Lena  landed her first job in the kitchen and hasn’t looked back since. 

In 2009, Lena received her Associates Degree in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of  America and joined the opening team of Maialino, USHG’s Roman-inspired trattoria. She  later moved on to Gramercy Tavern where she worked as a tournant, before joining the  Marta team in 2014. Throughout her time at Marta, Lena moved through the ranks, starting  as a sous chef and ultimately assumed the role of Executive Chef of Marta, Caffe Marchio,  and Vini e Fritti in 2018.