Magdalena Jeglinska

General Manager - Upper West Side

Magdalena was born and raised in Poland, where she originally pursued a degree in physical therapy before life led her down a very different — and much more flavorful — path. From a young age, she found joy in the kitchen, spending hours watching her mother and grandmothers cooking. That early love of food only grew stronger, especially as she looked up to her older brother, who was on his pathway to becoming a chef.

Her entry into hospitality happened almost by accident, but it quickly became clear she had found her place. The energy of a busy dining room, the chance to meet people from every walk of life, and the constant opportunity to learn and grow captured her heart. She moved to New York in 2014 and joined the Chef Driven family at 5 Napkin Burger in 2019. Driven by curiosity and an appetite for more, she worked her way from server to bartender and eventually climbed the management ladder.

Outside of work, Magdalena recharges by reading, cooking, baking and spending quality time with her daughter — a balance that keeps her grounded, inspired, and connected to what matters most.