Marissa Canneto '08

Assistant Manager,

Trader Vic’s Island Bar and Grill
Sarasota, Florida

q: What do you do?

a: I help manage the flagship Island Bar and Grill for the corporation, which is celebrating its 76th anniversary and has locations in the world's most coveted destinations such as Dubai. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be a part of such a long-standing and prestigious restaurant group.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Definitely auditioning bands. We have live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights at the restaurant. Being able to touch into the local music scene is the more fun part of my job. I also love designing advertisements and flyers, and managing the PR side of things.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Hiring new staff for our opening. I had upwards of 1,000 applicants for the opening team at the restaurant and just over two weeks to bring them on board and get them trained to corporate standards. Plus, the fact that many of them are older than I am can sometimes complicate things.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Just a few… Chad Ingram ’09, Nick Bustillo ’08 and Andrea Hanson ’08.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At the beach. Siesta Key is one of the highest rated in the nation and I love it being so accessible.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: I just signed a contract for a house, so being 23 and purchasing my first home definitely qualifies as the greatest accomplishment for me so far.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: By taking a full course load and working full-time, I learned to understand the real-world “work” hours I am faced with today.

q: Your favorite class?

a: I enjoyed many of them. I wish I had taken more beverage classes since there are three bars in my restaurant; learning everything about beverage inventory and wines has been interesting.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I think it’s a great program; however, a foreign language requirement would benefit students in the long run.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Football games, having awesome roommates, and graduation itself!

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Taverna Opa… amazing food, friends and fun. I went there for one of my last group dinners before I moved out of Orlando.

q: On your iPod?

a: A little bit of everything…Kings of Leon, Rihanna, Jay Z and Mariah.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I’m the first in my family born in the U.S., and also the first to go to college.

Elizabeth Ford '08

Proprietor,

Super Suppers, Winter Springs

q: What do you do?

a: My company provides "Take n’ Bake" prepared entrees, sides and desserts. I manage the employees and all aspects of the business including food preparation, packaging, customer service, finances and marketing. We sell over 500 healthy, homemade meals to busy people each week.  

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: I love people and I love food, so this is the perfect business for me. I enjoy the customers and making the meals. I'm from a huge family and we've always enjoyed cooking together.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Making sure we have enough food. If I try to forecast based on past weeks, we end up getting extra customers and I'm making last-minute runs to buy food! We offer 22 different entrées so it's a lot to manage.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Courtney Piggott '10 who will graduate from Rosen College next week, works here in the store. I also stay in touch with Lindsay Shaffer '08.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At Universal Studios; I love roller coasters!

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating?

a: Becoming a business owner more quickly than I thought I would. I was working here at Super Suppers when the owner decided to sell it. I couldn't let down all the customers so thought...why not? With two partners I was able to buy it. 

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: I wouldn't know how to run a business otherwise! I loved everything about Rosen College; it gave me the guidance, tools and knowledge I need to be successful. The ServSafe Food Safety® class was extremely important to what I do every day, knowing how to handle food and the correct temperatures.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Quantity Food Production. Where else can you learn to cut an apple into a smiley face? I changed my major three times at UCF but found a home at Rosen College - this is something I really enjoy!

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More hands-on classes like the food prep class. This was more helpful than group projects.

q: A UCF memory?

a: The football championship games...traveling to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl in 2007, and to St. Pete for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in 2009.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Chicken and shrimp cooked on a rock, at the Colorado Fondue Company in Casselberry. Also, their cheese fondue!

q: On your iPod?

a: Rap, R&B and country music.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My Dad graduated from UCF in 1979. We're die-hard UCF sports fans and have season tickets for basketball and football. Our tailgates are impressive crab boils!

Corinne Large '09

Darden Meetings and Special Events,

BCD Travel

q: What do you do?

a: Create, plan and execute meetings and special events for Darden Restaurants. A team of four of us (three are UCF graduates) manages 400 meetings and events each year. These include everything from an employee Earth Day celebration next week...to store openings across the U.S....to annual worldwide conferences for each restaurant brand.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Events at our new headquarters. This space lets us think outside the box. The lakeside parties are incredible.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Pushing myself to be better, constantly inventing creative concepts for events that haven't been done before.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: I live and work with Lisette Gonzalez '05. Also: Lauren Staiano '09, Melissa Beer '09 and Zack Myers '08.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At home, at the beach, fishing, or at my boyfriend's ranch in Tampa.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Taking the initiative to start a mentor program for UCF hospitality students. Lauren Staiano '09 and I are working with Rosen College and the UCF Alumni Association to build a program that will match current students with alumni mentors. 

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: It was very hands-on. In my first internship, I spent a month ironing tablecloths and washing dishes. I learned all about different plate sizes and types of linens, which is helpful to my work today. The people at Rosen College teach you to be a go-getter. Other programs prepare you for success in your job, but Rosen also teaches you how to get the job.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Event Design, Production & Technology with Susan Lee. She shared her real-life business experiences with us, and did not hand-hold. We had to think and create the event ourselves. That class was great preparation for the real world, especially learning about timelines. The interviewer for Darden/BCD Travel was impressed with my portfolio, which focused on the event we produced for that course.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I would have loved a mentor in the event management business. Also, the finishing details of an event (floral arrangements, napkins, etc.) are never formally taught through the curriculum, only perhaps through your internship or trial and error at student-managed events. A "set-up" or "day of event" class should be required. 

q: A UCF memory?

a: The gloating when my team won the challenge in Quantity Food Production class! Melissa Beer '09 and I did a chest bump! It was so fun.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The soup, salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden. Also, sushi at Shogun.

q: On your iPod?

a: On Pandora: Janis Joplin, Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Jack Johnson and JJ Grey & Mofro.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I've also launched my own business called The Wedding Directors, together with my Mom. Our first customer was just happily married in South Florida.

Lindsey Cullen '09

Event Coordinator,

Il Mulino New York Trattoria

q: What do you do?

a: Marketing and sales for the Italian restaurant at the Walt Disney World Swan. With a large number of small private flexible spaces, we can host a private reception or party with a customized group menu for up to 400 guests.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: The food! The general atmosphere...it's easy to sell...and people too. This is a nice family. I have worked here almost three years, previously as a supervisor at the pool restaurant. I helped opened the cabanas after their renovation.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Juggling everything and taking time for myself. Today alone there are four events. Also, walking in heels for many hours at a time. The floors here are slick!

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Valerie Davis '06 works here at Shula's. My two roommates Erica Yerton '08 and Courtney Landl '08 also work here at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At happy hours in the Sand Lake Area, or at the gym.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: I just graduated in December, so getting this full-time job while in school is my big triumph. I beat out highly qualified candidates, including some who had already graduated from Rosen College.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: It taught me how to talk to people...to be personable and hospitable. It also taught me to be patient with people, which is so important. Kathie Canning, who works full-time at the Orange County Convention Center, taught my event sales class and helped us develop these important communication skills.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Dr. Mary Jo Ross was my favorite professor. My favorite course was Event Design, Production and Technology with Jennifer Janette, who works full-time at Hello Florida!

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: The events held at the Rosen campus, particularly the capstone projects for seniors, need to be more organized. Since we focus on event management, it should be an easy streamlined process.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Planning and hosting the Mad Hatter Brunch at Rosen College, for Andrea St. Onge's Event Management II class.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: I love Seasons 52. I order something different every time, mostly new offerings from their seasonal menus.

q: On your iPod?

a: Anything that's happy. I need to get pumped up for my job! I have an eclectic mix, from country music to Jay-z and Fergie. 

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm from Kansas. I came here for Rosen College's Event Management program and will never move back.

Kelly Dunn '08

Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Boca Greens Country Club

q: What do you do?

a: Three different jobs all at once! I manage marketing, membership and catering for a semi-private, member-owned country club in Boca Raton, Florida.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: I love to coordinate weddings! So much detail goes into planning a wedding and you get to be creative. I am in the beginning stages of hosting a bridal showcase and it's very hard work but exciting at the same time. I also love working at a Country Club because the food is delicious!.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Selling any type of event. In this hard economic period, no one is spending money like they used to. Booking a wedding at $100 per person is extremely hard.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: I do! Laura Guelzow '08, Brittany Andrews '08, Sarah Wilkins '09, Jillian Kahn '08 and Erica Seypura '08.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At home! I just recently moved to South Florida and I only know a few people. I visit Orlando frequently to see friends.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Living on my own! When I was in college, I did not truly appreciate my parents' financial support. But I am proud that I have made a pretty comfortable home for myself.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: It wasn't about the technique of chopping an onion or learning to prepare a financial statement. Even though I flinched at the phrase "Group Project," it really prepared me for the real world. Building relationships with people is an everyday occurrence. I work closely with our General Manager, Food and Beverage Director and our Accountant. There is no "I" in "Team" right?

q: Your favorite class?

a: Seminar in Quality Brewing and Fine Beer. It was not your typical college lecture. Not only was it interesting, it was fun and interactive. My #2 favorite was Yacht, Country and City Club Management.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I wish they could have offered more "Club Management" style classes. Overall, I was very pleased with the program.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Football games will always be good memories! However, I will never forget the day that I moved to Orlando from Loveland, OH to start at UCF. Boy was that a change! It was the best decision I have ever made.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: At UCF: Pita Pit (Suvlaki). In Orlando: Texas de Brazil!

q: On your iPod?

a: My iPod is currently empty. My computer crashed and I lost all my songs!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'll admit it. I watch Teen Nick!