The Sapphire Restaurant Group is a restaurant development and consulting company founded by Michela Larson, Karen Haskell, Jody Adams and Gary Sullivan, creators of Rialto, blu and Noir. The Sapphire partnership works on projects as extensive as opening and managing their own restaurants and bars, and as specific as providing individual consulting services to food and beverage operations which have solicited their expertise.

Michela Larson, a well-known restaurateur and founder of Boston’s ground-breaking Michela’s in the 1980s, works on overall project concepts and designs, as well as conceiving and implementing marketing and PR programs for Rialto, blu and Noir. She is the recipient of the Spinnazzola Spirit Award and the Women Chefs and Restaurateurs “Golden Fork” Award.

Gary Sullivan is responsible for the operational aspects and personnel of Sapphire’s restaurants and bars. The general managers report directly to him. Gary consults on start-up and operations issues, as well as wine list development and food and beverage costs. With his background in architecture and design and 20 years of experience in the restaurant business, he is also deeply involved in the design and build out of new projects.

Jody Adams is the chef of Rialto, author of cookbook “In the Hands of a Chef,” and partner who oversees menu development and implementation for all Sapphire projects. Jody has many awards including the James Beard “Best Chef in the Northeast” award and a 4-star rating from the Boston Globe for her cuisine at Rialto.

Karen Haskell oversees the financial interests of Sapphire and its individual projects as well as providing general business and management expertise to the partnership. She is also an investor in Sapphire and its projects.