Mainsail Lodging & Development Announces Food & Beverage Promotions
January 11, 2023
According to a press release, Mainsail Lodging & Development announced the promotions of Emily Engelman as Restaurant General Manager for Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa’s trendy Hyde Park district and Joanna Drissi as Food & Beverage General Manager at the newly opened Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel. Engelman will oversee day-to-day operations of Epicurean’s two main dining outlets, Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar and EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge. Drissi will oversee all food and beverage operations at Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel, including the popular Skybox Rooftop Bar.
“It is a point of pride that we’re able to retain and promote rising stars like Emily and Joanna within the Mainsail family,” said Joe Collier, President and Founder of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “I’m confident they will both continue to build on the culinary experience and leadership skills they’ve accrued throughout their careers and as valued members of the Mainsail food and beverage teams.”
Before being named Restaurant General Manager for Epicurean Hotel, Emily Engelman was most recently General Manager of Tampa’s Cru Cellars. She has also held positions at two other well-known Hyde Park outlets – On Swann, and Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits, which is located inside Epicurean Hotel. Early in her career, Engelman found a passion for food and wine during a trip to Italy, after which she worked in Tampa restaurants, including Oxford Exchange, where she ascended to sous chef. She later enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in New York and interned in California’s Napa Valley, where she honed her knowledge of the wine industry. Engelman received her level two WSET certification from the Napa Valley Wine Academy and is a graduate from the University of Tampa.
An accomplished hospitality executive, Joanna Drissi brings more than 10 years of food and beverage management to her new position as Food & Beverage General Manager at the Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel. Prior to joining Residence Inn, Drissi was Food & Beverage Manager at the Mainsail-owned Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa. During her time there, Drissi fine-tuned her leadership and restaurant management skills by recruiting and training restaurant staff, as well as overseeing food quality. Drissi is a graduate of Mainsail’s Manager Development Program and has a level one WSET certification. Before moving to Wesley Chapel, Joanna spent 10 years at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, serving in various positions, and co-owned a restaurant with family in Canada.