LEADERSHIP
Meet the 2021 FRLA Jim Shirley Chair
Jim Shirley, Chairman, is a chef and restaurateur in South Walton, Florida, owning Great Southern Café, 45 Central Wine in Seaside, as well as The Bay Restaurant, North Beach Tortilla Co., and Farm & Fire Southern Pizzeria in South Walton. He is also co-owner of the Meltdown on 30A in Seaside. Jim was previously the president of the Northwest Florida FRLA chapter and president of the Escambia County chapter. He is currently the treasurer of FRLA’s Educational Foundation. Jim sits on the board of the Children’s Home Society and the Seaside Neighborhood School. Jim represented Florida in the 2015 Great American Seafood Cook-Off. In addition, Jim has been invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York City several times. He is author of the cookbook, Good Grits! Southern Boy Cooks, a compilation of his best recipes along with entertaining stories.
Olivia Hoblit Vice Chair
Olivia Hoblit, Vice-Chair, has more than 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is a Regional Manager with Innisfree Hotels overseeing Seaside Amelia Inn and the dual-Marriott brand Courtyard/Springhill Suites currently under construction in Amelia Island. She rejoined Innisfree Hotels in April 2020 in her new role after spending a year at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, a 446-room, AAA Five-Diamond luxury resort as the Assistant Rooms Executive. While at The Ritz-Carlton, she served as a member of the opening team, who successfully reopened The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, in 2019. She was also nominated as “Marriott Ops Star” for going above and beyond operational expectations. Mrs. Hoblit was the general manager of the Seaside Amelia Inn for five years during her previous tenure with Innisfree Hotels. Prior to her position at Seaside Amelia Inn, Mrs. Hoblit spent seven years as the general manager of the highly acclaimed Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. Under her leadership and management with owners David and Susan Caples, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge received numerous awards, including Travel+Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best Awards, where it ranked No. 25 on its list of Top 100 World’s Best Hotel, No. 3 Top Resort in Florida in 2012 as well as No. 2 Best Hotel in the Continental U.S. in 2008 Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award. In 2012, Mrs. Hoblit also received the “Sharky Award” from Travel Shark for “Best GuestService General Manager.” 26 WINTER
2020
John Horne
Secretary/Treasurer, Restaurant Director 2021–22 John Horne, Secretary/Treasurer, FRLA Restaurant Director 2021–22, is the owner of four Anna Maria Oyster Bars located on Florida’s west coast. He has nearly 40 years of service in the industry starting as a bus boy on Anna Maria Island. At Anna Maria Oyster Bar, John and his 325 co-workers have received many accolades over the years, including Small Business of the Year awards from both the Manatee and Sarasota Chambers, over 70 People’s Choice Favorites, as well as community, volunteer and tourism awards culminating in the 2018 National Restaurant Neighbor Award presented by the National Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation. John is very passionate about education and helping his community and serves on numerous boards in many capacities. But, life is not all about work — along with his wife, Amanda, John enjoys traveling anywhere there’s a cooking class with wine involved!
Carlos Gazitua
Restaurant Director, 2020–21 Carlos Gazitua, FRLA Restaurant Director 2020–21, is the President and CEO of Sergio’s Cuban Café. Gazitua manages 650 employees, six full-service restaurants and eight fast casual locations all located in South Florida. Under his leadership, Sergio’s was awarded “best sit-down restaurant” by South Florida Independent Retailer awards. In addition, they were selected as South Florida Tourism Professional Restaurant of the Year Award and honored by Doral Business Council as the Small Business of the Year. In 2012, he created La Flaca™ brand, which promotes healthy cooking alternatives for Cuban food. La Flaca™ menu has transformed the way people eat Latin and Cuban cuisine in South Florida. Sergio’s earned an award from the Florida Department of Health as the first certified restaurant to take part in the Healthy Happens Here Initiative in Miami-Dade County. Carlos earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and his MBA and Law Degree from Stetson College of Law. He resides in Miami with his wife, Liana Gazitua, and their two young boys. FLORIDA RESTAUR ANT & LOD GING A S SO CIATION
