TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2024) – Hotel Haya, Aparium Hotel Group’s award-winning property located in the heart of Ybor City is pleased to announce the appointment of Kal Harris to Director of Food and Beverage. With over a decade of experience under his belt, the New York-native will bring a new perspective to Flor Fina, Hotel Haya’s upscale Latin-infused restaurant and Cafe Quiquiriqui, the hotel’s café and casual lunch spot.
Harris began his hospitality journey at the age of 15 years old in Buffalo, New York. After three years, Harris was completely enamored with the food and beverage industry and progressed to manager at a small restaurant in the area. Following his move to Florida, he continued to advance in the hospitality world where he was the general manager for Tampa’s Next Level Brands. He was responsible for three new concept openings including design, ground-up construction and launch. During this time, Harris was accountable for driving company culture including people development, community engagement and talent planning. Today, his experience and expertise in the food and beverage industry led him to his new role at the established Hotel Haya.
“We are excited to welcome Kal Harris as our new Director of Food and Beverage,” said Laura Maldonado, General Manager of Hotel Haya. “Kal’s extensive experience and innovative approach make him a perfect fit for our team. His impressive journey in the hospitality space, particularly in developing new concepts and cultivating a strong company culture, aligns seamlessly with our values and vision. We are confident he will bring fresh ideas to Flor Fina and Café Quiquiriqui, enhancing the unique dining experiences we offer. We look forward to his contributions to the continued growth of Hotel Haya.”
Throughout Harris’ career he achieved various accolades including South Tampa’s Top 10 Under 40 in Tampa Magazine in 2020, and was named General Manager of the Year by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, the parent company of Ocean Prime, in 2019.
For more information, please visit hotelhaya.com
