Gelée roll

ZOE MESSINGER, Gelée

WORK • Thursday Routine

ZOE MESSINGER • Founder • Gelée 
Neighborhood you live in: Crescent Heights / Chelsea

It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
After waking up, getting sunlight, and walking my dog Giorgi, I'll take an infrared sauna (if I'm lucky) before diving into my jelly startup, Gelée. My morning ritual is to make ceremonial matcha and pair it with whatever’s inspiring me — lately, it’s a Honeycrisp apple, a spoon of Coconut Cult, and some Gelée. I like trying single-cultivar matcha from different regions of Japan. I find matcha grounding and medicinal. I try not to dive into work right away; otherwise I end up floating in another dimension. 

What’s on the agenda for today?
A mix of logistics and play. I'm finalizing the dielines on custom jelly molds and playing with recipes that incorporate Gelée, such as a jelly noodles, guava, and tahini brioche, and also, a tropical egg cream. It’s expansive to build a business that's experimental — I'm launching a CPG, but also going gourmand). Gelée is a canvas for expression and play. 

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I've been spending my time between NY and LA. Right now I’m in NY for work, where I’m often making and sipping bone broth, juicing, and searching for delight. Recent love affairs include Txikito, EN Brasserie, abcV, Libertine, Deluxe Food Market in Chinatown, and King. 

In LA, I’m usually at the Santa Monica or Hollywood Farmers’ Market, curating and cooking for anyone that will show up at my door. And Sqirl! 

How about a little leisure or culture?
I went to the Feist show for her new album Multitudes and haven't stopped thinking about it. Her performance left me awestruck — listening and dissecting her lyrics for weeks after. 

What was your last great vacation?
In September I went to Venice, Italy, where I floated an entire aperitivo in Gelée at The Gritti Palace. It was an event for Venice Glass week of the Biennale. I even got to cook in the same kitchen as Stanley Tucci. I came alive in the Rialto market. The figs were bursting, and the silver sardines looked like jewels plucked from the lagoon.  

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
My gemstone PEMF infrared mat from Cap Beauty. It’s lined with tourmaline, amethyst, and jade. It’s delicious. 

What store or service do you always recommend?
Cookbook Market, Honest Rituals, and anything mystical that presents itself.