Cuisine

The Secret Ingredient of Maman: More Than Just Food

Maman’s journey from a cozy NYC café to a Florida phenomenon blends French charm, family love, and entrepreneurial passion into every bite.

Por: Karla Sofía Espinoza
MaMAN CAFE
Antique décor, soft florals, and sunlit tables create an oasis where guests can enjoy a leisurely brunch, a quick coffee between meetings, or a box of pastries to-go / Photo @_mamannyc_

In the bustling streets of New York City, where ambition and creativity collide, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, the visionary couple behind Maman. What started as a modest dream in 2014—a quaint café nestled in Manhattan’s SoHo—has blossomed into a $50 million empire, redefining the café experience with a touch of French elegance and the warmth of home.

Marshall and Sormonte didn’t set out to build a business titan. Their goal was simple: to create a space that felt like a mother’s embrace, where every sip of coffee and bite of pastry carried the love and comfort of childhood.

The name Maman—French for “mom”—was chosen deliberately, a tribute to the home-cooked meals of their youth, inspired by their mothers’ kitchens in Canada and the south of France.

Photo @_mamannyc_

The Heartwarming Story

From the beginning, Maman stood out not just for its flaky croissants or rich coffee, but for the experience it offered. Marshall and Sormonte designed every detail—from the soft florals and antique touches to the sun-drenched interiors—to evoke the feeling of stepping into a beloved family home.

 “You come here for the atmosphere, for the vibe, for the beauty of the space,” Marshall explained to CNBC. This commitment to creating a sanctuary of comfort in the heart of the city became the cornerstone of Maman’s success.

Photo @_mamannyc_

The café’s reputation soared when Oprah Winfrey featured Maman’s chocolate chip walnut cookies in her 2017 “Favorite Things” list. The endorsement was a turning point, catapulting the brand into the national spotlight and sparking a surge in demand. Yet, for Marshall and Sormonte, the true magic of Maman has always been its ability to transcend the transactional, offering a moment of connection in an otherwise fast-paced world.

A Recipe for Growth: From SoHo to Sunshine State

What began as a single café in SoHo has since expanded into a multi-city phenomenon, with locations across New York, Canada, and now Florida. The couple’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a keen eye for design and hospitality, has allowed Maman to thrive beyond its original borders.

In Florida, Maman has found a second home, with nine locations dotting the state’s most vibrant neighborhoods:

  • Sunset Harbor

  • South Miami

  • Edgewater

  • Brickell Bay

  • Wynwood

  • West Palm Beach

  • South Beach

  • Brickell

  • Design District

Each location carries the signature charm of the original, blending French café culture with the sunny, laid-back vibe of Florida. Take the Brickell location, for example: just steps from 830 Brickell Plaza, it serves as the South Florida flagship, offering a cozy escape from the city’s financial hustle. Here, antique décor, soft florals, and sunlit tables create an oasis where guests can enjoy a leisurely brunch, a quick coffee between meetings, or a box of pastries to-go.

The Maman Experience: A Feast for the Senses

At Maman, every visit is an immersive experience. The menu is a love letter to French tradition, featuring filled croissants, tartines, and brunches adorned with French cheeses and fresh grapes. The specialty coffee, sourced with care, is best enjoyed in the café’s inviting ambiance—though it’s just as delicious on the go.

Marshall and Sormonte’s background in law and marketing might seem unrelated to the world of cafés, but their passion for food and family has been the driving force. “When we asked ourselves, ‘Who is your favorite chef?’, we both said ‘mom,’” Sormonte recalled to CNBC. This personal connection infuses every aspect of Maman, from the recipe development to the warm greetings from staff.

With a rapidly growing fanbase and a reputation for excellence, Maman shows no signs of slowing down. The brand continues to expand, bringing its unique blend of French charm and homestyle comfort to new cities and neighborhoods. For Marshall and Sormonte, the journey is about more than sales or locations—it’s about sharing the love of Maman with as many people as possible.

Photo @_mamannyc_

Q&A: The Story and Experience of Maman

  • Who founded Maman and why? Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte founded Maman in 2014, inspired by their mothers’ home cooking and a desire to create a cozy, French-style café in NYC.
  • What does “Maman” mean and why was it chosen? “Maman” means “mom” in French, reflecting the founders’ childhood memories and the warm, homestyle experience they wanted to recreate for guests.
  • How did Oprah Winfrey impact Maman’s growth? Oprah’s 2017 “Favorite Things” feature of Maman’s cookies boosted national visibility, driving sales and accelerating the brand’s expansion across the U.S.
  • What makes Maman’s Florida locations special? Florida’s Maman cafés blend French café charm with local vibrancy, offering sunlit interiors, antique décor, and a relaxed atmosphere in bustling neighborhoods.
  • What are Maman’s most popular menu items? Maman is famous for its chocolate chip walnut cookies, filled croissants, tartines, and specialty coffee, all served in a warm, inviting setting.

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