Get to Know the Team Behind Toast Cleveland
Meet the people who bring the food, drinks and hospitality at Toast Cleveland to life. Each has their own story to tell, yet all share a passion for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and carefully selected wine.
Jillian Davis — Owner
A lifelong love of food and wine led owner Jill Davis — a self-described wine geek — to open Toast in 2013. She envisioned a restaurant rooted in the freshest locally sourced ingredients, creative cocktails and a wide-ranging, adventurous wine list, all in one of Cleveland's most vibrant neighborhoods. True to Toast's belief that great ingredients should speak for themselves, Jill stocks the bar and bottle shop with low-intervention wines — grown in organic or biodynamic vineyards, naturally fermented and handled as little as possible. The cellar highlights fine examples of familiar grape varietals, often with an unexpected twist, plus bottles that may encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. She holds a Level III Certificate with Distinction from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). By day she works as an attorney with the Federal Public Defender. Jill lives in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood with her dogs Alice and Rory and, at any given time, a couple of chickens.
Alex Arsham — Executive Chef / General Manager
Alex honed his culinary style through a variety of restaurant roles. From his start as an intern at Gamekeeper's Tavern to sous chef at El Carnicero and kitchen manager at Crumb and Spigot, each position taught him something new and helped him become a more versatile chef. He now applies those techniques to fresh, farm-to-table dishes made with local purveyors at Toast. Reimagining classic plates with local ingredients and flavors is a particular passion — he believes food doesn't have to be complicated to be enjoyed. Away from the kitchen he spends most of his time with his dog Freddie or playing the occasional video game.
Victor Furuki — Sous Chef
Victor brings over 20 years of industry experience spanning both front and back of house. He began his career as a food runner at the Cleveland Athletic Club and later moved to Austin, where he graduated magna cum laude in culinary arts from the Texas Culinary Academy. After graduating he took charge of the kitchen at Fadó Irish Pub and oversaw food service for the largest and most successful St. Patrick's Day event in Texas. Other roles had him running catering events for 1,500 people, preparing room service for patients at a children's hospital and serving as executive chef of a farm-to-table diner. Outside work he enjoys time with his wife Catherine and their two cats, knitting, reading and the occasional fine whisk(e)y and/or cigar.
Willburr Moore — Bar Manager
Willburr has been with Toast since August 2021. He enjoys making drinks, playing video games and watching anime in his free time. When he isn't at Toast mixing up concoctions, he is working toward his Master of Arts in Songwriting at Berklee College of Music.
Discover Toast Cleveland
- Check out the dinner menu and brunch menu
- Explore the beer and wine selection and cocktail list
- Read about us and meet our team
- Plan an event with catering or view art on our walls
- Reach out through the contact page
Order Online Reservations Give Us a Call Get Directions Back to Main Menu
Hours
We're open Wednesday through Saturday, 4–11p, and Sunday, 11a–3p. Toasty Hours run Wednesday through Friday, 4–7p.
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From the kitchen to the bar, the Toast Cleveland team is united by a love of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and thoughtfully chosen wine. Stop by to taste the results for yourself, or reach out to plan your next visit.