Proprietor, Misha Hart
Misha has managed the magic behind some of Tampa Bay's most high-profile events since she was hand-selected by Outback Steakhouse, Inc. executives to join A La Carte Event Pavilion as Proprietor in November 2004.
From celebrating the accomplishments of this community's great endeavors to organizing parties for prominent political figures and celebrities, she has orchestrated a wide array of events to create unforgettable affairs each time her staff is called upon. Misha's sixteen years of service to Outback Steakhouse prepared her to guide A La Carte Event Pavilion. She served as Proprietor of Outback Catering from August 2001 – November 2004 where she oversaw all retail catering operations and organized charity events along the West Coast of Florida. During her first five years as a partner, she has been recognized three times as Proprietor of the Year. Previously she provided training to new "Outbackers."
Born in Tampa and committed to its advancement, Misha is involved in the community through work with various non-profit organizations. She is also an active member of Tampa Bay & Company and graduated from the Leadership Tampa program offered through the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in economics. Misha married Cy Hart in November 2002. They currently reside in South Tampa.
Executive Chef, Jim Rice
Food, music and art have always been Jim's passions. Although he began cooking professionally at age 16, his life took a dramatic detour when he was offered an opportunity to audition for Motown records in 1984. Soon he was appearing on MTV and working as a touring musician. Traveling the world exposed him to a vast array of cooking styles and cuisine. He always looked forward to time spent at home where he could create new dishes. His career path eventually led him back to the hospitality industry where he worked in cafes, bistros, fine dining restaurants and catering.
When he came to A La Carte in 2002, his performance quickly elevated him to Sous Chef, then Chef de Cuisine and, in 2007, Executive Chef. Jim's custom menu creations, commitment to quality and friendly personality have made him invaluable to A La Carte. Jim still enjoys writing and recording music, but spends much of his spare time with his wife, daughter and son. He aspires to continue honing his skills as a chef, husband and father.
Event Designer, Corina Wian
Corina's career began as a visual merchandising designer for a national retailer. Eighteen years and ten industry awards later, she decided to transition into the world of event design. In 2003, she came to A La Carte with bold ambition and the determination to grow the business through event design and décor. Since then, her success has been immeasurable. Not only does she provide fresh décor ideas, she executes them flawlessly. By getting to know each client individually, she is able to address their specific challenges and provide an original, custom design.
Corina's work has been featured in industry publications such as BizBash Magazine and she has been nominated for Event Designer of the Year through Event Solutions Magazine. In her spare time, Corina channels her creative passion into a custom handbag collection called Lou Lou Bags. She has also been a dedicated volunteer with St. Joseph's Hospital for more than ten years. She and her husband reside in Tampa with their "babies," two adorable Boston terriers.
Floral Designer, Pat Harris
After owning a floral shop in South Tampa for ten years, Pat decided to make a career change in 2005 and join the A La Carte family. Her unique perspective is driven by years of experience in both the wholesale and retail areas of the floral industry. She has also been inspired by creative collaborations with other designers. To Pat, the challenge of creating one-of-a-kind arrangements is fun. When she has spare time, she loves to travel and makes a point of visiting local floral shops along the way. Pat's commitment to excellence also reaches into the community as she serves on the board of the Muscular Dystrophy Association each year.
Chef de Cuisine, Jonathan Wolf
Jonathan played an integral role in opening A La Carte Event Pavilion in 2000, but his experience in the hospitality industry dates back to his first restaurant position in 1985. He then pursued a Culinary Arts degree from Kendall College in Chicago and gained experience working in a number of fine dining establishments.
Since joining the A La Carte team, Jonathan has proven himself as an innovator and natural leader. He was quickly promoted from Sous Chef to Pastry Chef and now resides as Chef de Cuisine. Outside of the kitchen, he is often found playing roller or ice hockey and loves to travel when his schedule allows.
Wedding Cake Designer/Assistant Pastry Chef, Maritza Abreau
In order to provide clients with a full range of services, A La Carte began searching for a staff wedding cake designer in 2006. As a graduate of Llaque del Norte in the Dominican Republic with a degree in baking and pastry, Maritza was the perfect candidate. She had honed her talents over three decades with pastry and cake decorating experience. By 2006, she had become a Wilton Method instructor and was teaching classes throughout Tampa Bay.
Maritza's cakes are known not just for their beauty but for their delectable flavors. In addition to wedding cake creations, she is also responsible for the production of all pastry items at the Pavilion. Outside of work, Maritza loves to enjoy the Florida outdoors by fishing, walking the Gandy Bridge and spending time with her daughters at the beach.
Bridal Sales Manager, Lori Friesz
Lori always had a natural affinity for event planning and jumped at opportunities to plan birthday parties, family vacations and special events for friends. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Florida, she accepted a job with McCar Homes as a marketing coordinator. Two years later, a position became available at A La Carte Event Pavilion and she knew this was her chance to break into the event industry.
In 2008, Lori became A La Carte's Bridal Sales Manager. In addition to assisting couples with venue selection and contractual agreements, she also has the pleasure of coordinating some Pavilion weddings. Her positive, energetic personality sets couples at ease, while her organizational skills guarantee flawless results. For fun, she enjoys traveling, photography and spending time outdoors in the beautiful Florida weather. She is also an active member of the Junior League.
Director Of Marketing, Devon Murray
Devon accidentally fell into the events industry. While pursuing a Bachelor's degree from Stetson University, she worked part-time in the school's catering department and fell in love with the high-energy, rewarding environment. After graduation, she became the Director of Catering at St. Leo University and, later, a manager for Jackson's Bistro on Harbour Island.
In 2001, Devon joined A La Carte as an Event Coordinator. This position gave her the opportunity to deepen her experience in the hospitality industry while expanding her understanding of the event planning process. In 2004, she was promoted to Corporate Sales Manager and spent the following two years fostering client relationships and attracting new business. In 2007, Devon began work on her Masters of Science degree in Marketing at the University of Tampa and, soon after, accepted the Director of Marketing position at A La Carte. In her spare time, she has worked on projects to benefit St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation and The Ophelia Project Tampa Bay. She also serves on various committees for Meeting Professionals International. She and her hilarious husband, Dave, live in Clearwater.
Director Of Sales, Amy Osgood
From her first job as a restaurant host, Amy felt drawn to the fast-paced and exciting hospitality industry. After moving to Florida in 1997, she landed a position with one of her favorite restaurants, Outback Steakhouse, and also spent time working in their catering department. In 2000, she was invited to join Outback's newest venture, A La Carte Event Pavilion. She was intrigued by its unique concept and excited to play a part in planning special events.
As one of the Pavilion's first Event Coordinators, Amy played a key role in opening the fledgling venue. In addition to planning events, she helped to define procedures and to establish the standards of excellence that remain today. She was soon promoted to the position of Sales Manager where she excelled at growing the business and developing client relationships. Her experience in these areas made her the ideal candidate for the Director of Sales position which became available in 2004. Since then, Amy has become the backbone of her department, managing the sales staff and working with clients to, "bring their dreams to life." In her spare time, she loves to read, bike ride and take trips to the beach with her husband and two children. She is also a volunteer committee member for Moffitt Cancer Center's Key to the Cure.
Director Of Operations, Megan Dingle
Megan's career in hospitality began with an interest in cooking. She began working at an Outback Steakhouse in Wappingers Falls, New York at age 16. Although hired as a hostess, she was promoted through the restaurant's various positions including cook, server, bartender, trainer and manager. She graduated from Johnson and Wales University with an associate's degree in food and beverage management which combined her love of culinary arts and restaurant operations.
When Megan moved to Tampa, she decided to break into the catering industry. Fortunately, Outback offered two local opportunities through Outback Catering and A La Carte Event Pavilion. She worked for both companies until 2003 when she was offered an Event Manager position at the Pavilion. After only one year, she moved into the sales department by accepting an Event Coordinator position. This gave her the opportunity to work with clients and to gain insight into event planning.
By 2007, Megan had well-rounded experience in all aspects of hospitality and catering. When the Director of Operations position became available, she was considered the perfect fit. Megan exemplifies A La Carte's customer focus and relentless pursuit of perfection.
In her spare time, Megan likes to munch on her favorite cereal, Lucky Charms, but indulges in ravioli on all special occasions. She loves long walks on the beach and sleeping on her stomach. She and her firefighter husband live in Tampa with their purebred Rottweiler, Stella.
Senior Event Coordinator, Ashley McChesney
At age 16, Ashley began her first job as a hostess at Outback Steakhouse. She enjoyed the fast paced environment and culture of hospitality. She continued working at the restaurant while obtaining her bachelor's degree from University of South Florida. When it was time to enter an internship program, Ashley turned to the marketing department of OSI Restaurant Partners for an opportunity.
After college, she went to work for the client services department of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although this position allowed her a wide variety of customer-oriented responsibilities, her favorite was planning events for season ticket holders.
Ashley's friend, Megan Dingle, worked for A La Carte and encouraged her to apply for a position as an Event Coordinator. In 2006, she was hired. Less than two years later, she was promoted to Senior Event Coordinator. Although Ashley has planned all types of events, she now specializes in large group functions, particularly non-profit fundraisers. She also assists in the training and management of other Event Coordinators. Susan Depaite of Tampa Preparatory School had this to say about Ashley, "She is wonderful. She is delightful to work with and able to work with many different personalities. She's the BEST."
When she's not working, you'll find Ashley boating with her husband and yellow lab. You may even catch her at a Bucs game. She also spends time volunteering for the Outback Bowl Hospitality Committee.
Wedding Planner/Event Coordinator, Lindsay Jimison
When Lindsay graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, she was already interested in event planning. She initially took a position with Manhatten Hairstyling Academy which allowed her to gain experience in public relations and to plan promotional events. After several years, she realized that the most enjoyable aspect of her job was event planning. She knew it was time for a career change.
As Lindsay began searching for a full-time opportunity in the events industry, she kept hearing rave reviews about A La Carte from friends and associates. She made it her mission to work at the Pavilion. In 2007, she was hired as an Event Coordinator and began working with clients. As time went by, Lindsay's natural affinity for planning weddings became apparent which lead her to specialize in the bridal market.
She enjoys keeping up with the latest wedding trends and says she is inspired by (or perhaps obsessed with) David Tutera. As a recent bride herself, Lindsay relates to those who are encountering wedding planning stress and meets their requests with knowledge and patience. Her client, Angala, noted that "Lindsay was wonderful! She helped to calm my nerves, answered all of my questions and made my day absolutely wonderful." Lindsay considers it an honor to work closely with couples on such an important and momentous occasion.
In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys dining and dancing with her husband, Aaron.
Event Coordinator, Trish Seegobin
In Trinidad, Trish and her husband owned and managed their own Supermarket, Meat Shop and Market Place for several years. However, in 1998, they made a bold decision to move to the United States. After settling in Tampa, Trish decided to work part-time as a banquet server. She worked with several local catering companies including A La Carte. She was most impressed by the Pavilion's food quality, service standards and absolute attention to detail. By 2002, she was asked to become a Lead Banquet Server and only a year later she was promoted again to Event Manager. In her new position, Trish managed back-of-house event operations, as well as a sizeable wait staff.
When an Event Coordinator position became available in 2007, Trish was the natural choice. She moved into the sales office and began working directly with clients. Since then, she has mainly focused on corporate event planning and has received many accolades including this comment from Lynda with Primerica, "Trish is absolutely wonderful. She is so very professional and ready to help make our event a true success in all areas."
Trish is married and has three children whom she considers her "pride and joy." She always looks forward to time spent relaxing at the beach with them. She also loves to work with her children's church ministry when time allows.
