Daje! is Lauren Bruschi, who was born and raised in Rome, Italy. She spent her younger years growing up in her family’s restaurants in San Francisco, Rome & Portland. Since moving to Portland in 2000 she’s been in the service industry. Her passion of the culinary world, wine, spirits and geography have guided her diverse journey of experiences.

Lauren loves learning - getting her Level 2 certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Portland State University’s College of Urban and Public Affairs. She majored in Community Development & has a minor in Urban Sustainable Development.

While working in the service industry at night, she also worked several years in the Green Building world on projects such as: LEED certification, Biomimicry education, waste-stream auditing for large companies like Nike, and hosting/giving tours of Portland’s sustainable infrastructure to international delegates & politicians.

Lauren has most recently opened 3 restaurants, as well as leading a full rebrand of a bar & restaurant. As the General Manager of said rebrand, the restaurant was awarded one of America’s Top 25 Best New Restaurants of 2024 by Bon Appetit Magazine; as well as having her cocktails written up in New York Times T Magazine. Lauren has been a Beverage Director, Event Planner, Buyer & Merchandiser, Brand Ambassador, Wine & Spirits Educator, Wine Cellar & Lab Intern, among others.

When not working, you’ll find her at a dog park or shooting film on her Pentax K1000.