Story & Lesson Highlights with Eli Berchan of Beverly Hills

We recently had the chance to connect with Eli Berchan and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eli, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What battle are you avoiding?
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Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Eli Berchan. I’m a wedding and events curator based in Los Angeles, with a global career that has taken me from Switzerland—where I studied hospitality—to Atlanta, Paris, Geneva, Dubai, and Lagos. Every stop shaped my philosophy: that a celebration should be both poetic and deeply personal.

Through my company, Eli Berchan – Wedding and Events Creation, I design refined, emotionally resonant weddings that are effortlessly elegant. Each detail is curated with calm command and artistic direction—crafted not only to impress, but to make guests feel truly seen and celebrated.

Alongside this, I also own SUMAC® Cuisine, a boutique catering company that brings culinary artistry to our events. Whether at a vineyard in California or a villa in the Mediterranean, our private chefs ensure the dining experience is as elevated as the celebration itself.

What sets us apart is our seamless fusion of design, hospitality, and emotion. And beyond our events, I’m committed to giving back—developing initiatives that serve under-resourced communities, both locally and abroad. Because for me, celebration isn’t a luxury—it’s a form of care.

Let’s design your next story.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I wasn’t good enough—because that’s what some of my teachers and superiors made me feel. I struggled with traditional subjects like chemistry and physics, and rather than being encouraged, I was dismissed. I carried the weight of those labels: not smart enough, not special, destined to fail.

But life has its own curriculum.

Today, I stand in complete contrast to that version of myself. I was named one of the 40Under40, awarded Best Wedding Décor in Asia, and have spoken on international stages before hundreds. I’ve even returned to my old schools—not as a student, but as a guest speaker on entrepreneurship and events. That moment? A quiet triumph.

I’ve learned that what once made me feel “less than” was simply a sign I was meant to take a different path—one rooted in creativity, not conformity. And I now dedicate my work to making others feel seen, celebrated, and valued—because no one should grow up feeling like they don’t belong.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The greatest lesson I’ve ever learned didn’t come from success. It came from loss—the kind of loss that changes you at your core. When we lost our son Gabriel, it was a heartbreak that no words, no timeline, and no accolade could ever heal. As a person, as a husband, as an entrepreneur—I was cracked open.

You don’t recover from that kind of pain. You carry it. But over time, it begins to shape you differently. It teaches you what success/happiness never could.

Suffering taught me to slow down and savor the moment. To celebrate small wins. To plan with intention, even when life has other plans—as we all learned during the COVID years. It taught me to live with more gratitude, more grace, and more presence. And above all, it taught me that nothing—not even purpose—is to be taken for granted.

In honor of Gabriel, my incredible wife Stephanie and I are building a non-profit called our sOnshine—a space of light, love, and legacy for children and families navigating deep loss. It’s our way of turning sorrow into service. A reminder that while grief never truly leaves, it can give us a kind of strength success never could: the strength to live meaningfully.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Forgiveness.

I believe in it—deeply. And not in the way people often assume. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing what happened or offering comfort to the one at fault. It’s about reclaiming my own peace. It’s for me—to recoup, to rise, and to move forward without being tethered to pain that no longer serves me.

Some find that hard to accept. But for me, it’s a non-negotiable part of how I stay grounded.

Those who know me well understand that once I set my heart on something—whether it’s a vision, a plan, or a shift—I pursue it with everything I have. I don’t stop until I get there… or until I consciously decide to change course. But I’ve learned that true momentum isn’t just about relentless drive. It’s about knowing when to let go—quietly, powerfully—and make room for what’s next.

Forgiveness creates that space. And for me, that space is sacred.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing? 
Going to the gym.

It sounds simple, almost superficial—but for me, it’s more layered. I’ve always wanted the physique, the strength, the discipline… but not enough to push through the discomfort that comes with it. Gyms have always made me feel uneasy. The mirrors, the lighting—they show me what I don’t want to see, or maybe what I’m not ready to face.

For over 14 years, I’ve told myself this is the year. And sometimes I do go—for a few weeks, a short burst. Ironically, I often meet potential clients there, which makes it feel productive. But deep down, I know I’m avoiding the deeper work—the consistency, the commitment to myself, not just to others.

If I don’t shift that soon, I know it’ll be something I regret. Not just because of the physical side, but because I never gave myself the chance to rewrite that story, to feel strong in a space that once made me shrink. That, to me, would be the real transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eliberchan.com and www.sumaccuisine.com
• Instagram: @eliberchan and @sumac.cuisine
• Facebook: Eli Berchan wedding and events creation + Sumac Mediterranean cuisine
• Yelp: SUMAC Cuisine, Eli Berchan
• Youtube: Eli Berchan