Chef Justin Cogley and Janet Elarmo launch Sorasea Hospitality

Two familiar faces are further making waves in the local hospitality scene. As ownership partners at L’Auberge Carmel hotel, Aubergine restaurant and Carmel Beach Hotel, chef Justin Cogley and Janet Elarmo have run the day-to-day operations for some time now. This summer, the duo announced that they had acquired David Fink’s ownership shares and formed Sorasea Hospitality to manage the three properties. 

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Drawing on their areas of expertise—hers on the hotel side and his in the restaurant—across the trio of properties, the goal is to “craft experiences that become lasting memories,” Cogley says, noting that he and Elarmo are eyeing upgrades to guest rooms, as well as adding a chef’s perspective to them. 

Meanwhile, as Aubergine continues to up its game—the fine-dining spot was elevated from one to two Michelin stars last year—a fresh concept, Corner Market, is expected to debut in spring 2026. “We want the new restaurant to be a community-driven space, a great place to meet around a table, have amazing seafood, great wine, and cocktails,” Cogley shares.

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As for their new hospitality group’s moniker, he explains that “‘Sora’ is sky in Japanese, so we have ‘sky’ and ‘sea.’ The name is a tribute to the beautiful place where we live.” <img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6457f19f1c1e1601e2c9c3f6/6487a9355b63a6818c705cea_CC-Icon--20.svg"alt="CC"height="20" width="20">

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