Hillary Sterling’s Recipe for Change: How Ci Siamo’s Chef Is Building a More Inclusive Restaurant Culture

A Chef at the Crossroads of Fire and Fairness

In the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Hudson Yards, Ci Siamo stands out for its elemental approach to Italian cooking. It’s here that chef Hillary Sterling oversees a kitchen that centers around wood fire — transforming seasonal ingredients into dishes that are both rustic and refined. But while flames define Sterling’s cooking style, her passion for leadership is what sets her apart in New York’s competitive dining scene.

Between running one of the city’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, nurturing a young family, and mentoring the next generation of culinary talent, Sterling’s focus these days goes well beyond what’s plated. She’s on a mission to help reshape restaurant culture from the inside out — creating spaces where cooks, servers, and staff of all identities can grow, be heard, and feel welcome.

The Story Behind Ci Siamo: Wood Fire, Warm Hospitality

Before Ci Siamo opened its doors, Sterling had already earned respect in New York kitchens for her straightforward yet deeply thoughtful style. Known for coaxing maximum flavor from simple ingredients, she brings that same respect for fundamentals to Ci Siamo’s wood-fired menu — a tribute to the warmth and depth of classic Italian cuisine.

The restaurant’s name, Italian for “we’re here” or “we’ve arrived,” is more than a nod to its Manhattan address. It’s a statement about presence: the idea that a meal can ground us in the moment and connect us to each other.

Under Sterling’s guidance, Ci Siamo has become a favorite among diners looking for hearty pastas, perfectly charred vegetables, and meats kissed by the hearth. But behind the bustling open kitchen is a workplace culture just as intentional as the cooking itself.

A Chef’s Philosophy: Leadership Through Listening

Sterling’s approach to leadership is shaped by decades in restaurants, where she’s seen both the challenges and the power of kitchens that value collaboration over ego. Her goal at Ci Siamo is to run a space where communication flows freely and people feel respected for who they are — not just what they can produce during a busy dinner service.

This commitment shows up in small, daily moments: mentoring younger cooks, checking in with staff about their goals, and making sure every voice at the pass is heard. For Sterling, being a chef is as much about building trust as it is about executing perfect plates.

What’s on the Menu: Simplicity, Depth, and Seasonality

Sterling’s food at Ci Siamo celebrates what Italian cooking does best: spotlighting good ingredients without unnecessary fuss. Here, fire isn’t just a cooking method — it’s a flavor all its own.

Hearth-Roasted Vegetables

Charred brassicas, roasted root veggies, and wood-grilled artichokes bring out sweet, earthy notes that remind diners how satisfying simplicity can be.

Handmade Pastas

Pasta is a Sterling signature, from silk-like agnolotti to hearty ragù tossed with ribbons of fresh tagliatelle.

Wood-Fired Meats and Fish

The hearth takes center stage with rustic proteins, cooked to highlight their natural textures and paired with robust sauces and sides.

Seasonal Touches

Sterling’s menus shift with what’s best at the market — think bright greens in spring, sweet tomatoes in late summer, and deeply savory braises when the temperature dips.

Pushing for Change: Women of Food and Beyond

This month, Sterling and her team will host an intimate meal as part of the Resy Women of Food dinner series — a celebration that puts women chefs and restaurateurs in the spotlight. For Sterling, events like this aren’t just special nights on the calendar — they’re reminders of how far the industry has come, and how far it still needs to go.

In her view, true change means going beyond one-off dinners and hashtags. It means building systems that support equity year-round: better parental leave policies, fair promotion tracks, training for inclusive leadership, and pathways for underrepresented talent to rise.

Sterling sees this as the next frontier of great restaurants. Good food is expected. A good culture is what keeps people coming back — both as diners and as staff.

Balancing Family and Kitchen Life

Alongside her culinary mission, Sterling’s personal life has also shifted recently. Becoming a new parent while running a demanding kitchen has deepened her empathy for what working families need — and too often don’t get — in the restaurant world.

She’s vocal about the importance of scheduling that respects work-life balance, especially in an industry notorious for burnout and long hours. Sterling hopes her own experience can spark ideas for how restaurants, big and small, can evolve to retain talented people who also want to build families and healthy lives outside of work.

A Blueprint for an Inclusive Industry

What does inclusion look like for Sterling? It’s not a buzzword. It’s about designing kitchens where harassment is addressed, mentorship is accessible, and opportunities are open to everyone, not just a privileged few.

She’s clear-eyed about the fact that change takes work. It’s one thing to recruit diversely; it’s another to create an environment where people actually stay and thrive. At Ci Siamo, that means clear paths for advancement, open dialogue, and accountability at every level.

The Power of a Seat at the Table

As the dining world shifts to embrace more diverse voices, chefs like Sterling know there’s power in pulling up more chairs to the table. Whether through training young cooks, spotlighting women at events, or quietly setting new norms for leadership behind the scenes, she’s proving that great food and a great workplace are never at odds — they feed each other.

Conclusion: Hospitality, But for Everyone

At Ci Siamo, the hearth may be the star, but Hillary Sterling’s true legacy might be the culture she’s building one plate, one conversation, and one new hire at a time. In an industry still learning how to value its people as much as its product, her work stands as a warm reminder: everyone deserves a place at the table.