The Team
Our MISSON & LEADERSHIP Team
Russell Klein - Chef/Proprietor was educated and groomed in NYC, studying under Jacques Pepin, and cutting his culinary teeth in some of the best kitchens in NYC. He also spent time learning the very French way of market shopping, cooking with the seasons, and paying homage to regional specialties while cooking in the rustic countryside of France. These culminated experiences that shaped him provide the cosmopolitan, yet traditional flare Meritage possesses. He was raised in a home that valued good cooking. His family taught him to appreciate the act of dining, making a night out of an experience at any number of the most classic NYC dining rooms; La Cirque, La Caravelle, Picholine, La Grenouille. Some of which he even spent time with as part of the brigade. This experiential passion and pursuit of knowledge has informed his travels, and his culinary interests.
Desta Marée - Proprietor/Wine Director was born to the hospitality industry, her mother a server and her father a cook, when they met and married. Travel and experiential learning were major influences in Desta’s early life, and she worked her way thorough college and graduate school with support from the restaurant industry - finding her way back professionally after an early career in academia.
Once she and Russell met, they established an adventurous life with extensive travel through Europe. They built Meritage together, opening the doors to a fully booked opening night on November 1, 2007.
After a decade in her multifaceted management of Meritage, in 2017 she took on the wine list, moved to Bordeaux and took the opportunity to educate, travel and re-inspire herself and her career. Currently, she teaches wine seminars based upon her travels and learning, and is actively developing her team with certifications, and ongoing wine education, and travel to France to learn first-hand. This has developed into Maison Meritage, a destination management service that offers escorted tours through Europe which began in 2023. She has “flipped the script” on small group travel and curates the groups as much as the destinations. Find out more about Maison Meritage.
Megan Jacobse - Hospitality Manager
Megan joined our team in early 2024, bringing with her a myriad of experience, strengths & a fresh perspective. Having come up through the ranks of Spoon & Stable, then taking on the nationally renowned Le Pigeon, Megan returned to the Twin Cities to raise a family & become part of ours - lucky us!
A strong and steady presence, Megan has already won the love and respect of the team, and we are excited to see her leadership, contributions and overall impact on Meritage.
Kylie Schroeder - Engagement Manager
Having joined our team as a server upon our return from COVID, for Kylie it was not enough. She loved the restaurant and saw ways she could contribute and use her degree in Marketing and Communications. She approached Desta and made a case why she should be considered for a leadership role, and she has handily won the argument.
Now responsible for our social media, as well as private event bookings in The Médoc Room, she is a formidable compatriot to Megan as they both have taken on the primary management of the Front of House Team.
Meritage is not an easy place to work, but it is a rewarding place to make a career. It is a place with purpose. It is our mission to provide a fulfilling workplace for industry professionals to make a career from, and it is the strength of our team that makes that mission possible.
JASON ENGLEHART - EXECUTIVE CHEF
Chef Klein’s right hand and his culinary partner to bring recipes and ideas to life. Jason has been with our team since 2010. Dedicated to the mission of the house, Jason has had a major influence in our kitchen, with our team, and on our success.
TIM HELGESON - CHEF DU CUISINE
Responsible for the daily oversight of the preparation of recipes and preparedness for service, Tim has a deep understanding of the brigade since he has worked with both Chefs since 2012.
STUART KLEIN - SOUS CHEF
Stuart has been with the team since 2014, and has earned his way through a talented pool of cooks on the Meritage team. Reliable and consistent, he helps set the standard and keeps the house on task.
Our Dedicated & Talented Staff
