Sesa O’Connor

Sesa O’Connor is the owner and founder of Cafe Mata, an organic, plant-based coffee shop in Wilmington’s South Front District. Sesa’s inspiration for creating the shop stems from her childhood and the lasting influence of her mother, Kathy Hoshijo, who was a pioneering figure in the plant-based food movement.
Growing up surrounded by the principles of plant-based living, Sesa developed a deep understanding of the importance of food that nurtures both the body and the planet.
At Cafe Mata, Sesa honors her mother’s legacy and heritage by providing a variety of ethically sourced, organic, and plant-based beverages, with a Japanese twist. The cafe offers everything from organic locally roasted coffee drinks like their Salty Vietnamese Latte and Midnight Dream (activated charcoal latte) to flavorful Japanese-inspired flavors, such as matcha lattes, hojicha (roasted green tea), Ube Latte (Japanese Purple Sweet Potato), and Sakura Latte (Japanese cherry blossom). The menu also features a selection of wholesome, plant-based snacks and pastries, all made with the same care for quality and sustainability that Sesa learned from her mother’s teachings.