Harri Featured Member: Rachel Perez

RACHEL PEREZ Barista

"Well I chose a career in hospitality because I've always been great at serving people. And I kind of just fell into it, and then once I fell into it, I never wanted to leave."

Rachel began her career working at Robert De Niro's Greenwich Village restaurant, Locanda Verde. From there, she has moved on to gain experience at Intelligentsia Coffee and Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery. As a barista, Rachel is highly familiar with different types of coffee. She would like to use her knowledge and apply it to help the coffee community. One day, she wishes to own coffee farms all around the world, from Central America, South America to Africa. With that, she hopes to produce high quality coffee beans and maintain an exceptional brand and business.

In addition to her passion for coffee, Rachel boasts excellent customer service. She is able to maintain her composure while facing all kinds of people, from people waiting on their early morning coffee to people who speak different languages.

Rachel's other loves include skateboarding and music. She says she is practically on her board all day, because it is her preferred mode of transport. Also, Rachel enjoys attending concerts/music festivals and practicing in garages with her friends. Learn more about Rachel's career by viewing her Harri profile here.

Harri Featured Member: Richard Cardona

RICHARD CARDONA JR. General Manager

"I chose a career in hospitality because I created experiences as a server and people were wowed."

Richard began studying and learning the art of the restaurant business since a young boy under the tutelage of his father, Richard Cardona, one of the best known Latin celebrity chefs in the nation. He worked his way up the ladder and became a general manager of a restaurant at the mere age of 21.

Besides being a general manager at Cantina Rooftop, located atop Stage 48, Richard has experience organizing events for world-famous celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, the New York Yankees and more. He also leads as the vice president of his own company, Cardona Catering and Restaurant Consulting Group. One of the most successful projects he worked on was a 200 person fundraising event for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, raising over $100K.

To do well in the restaurant world, Richard advises people to market themselves, so that can be differentiated as much as possible. They have to prove to others what makes them special, among the million others working in the industry.

Learn more about Richard's experiences in the hospitality industry on his Harri profile.

Harri Featured Member: Akina Nolan

AKINA NOLAN Hostess

"It is very important to market your personal brand, because you have to be memorable in hospitality."

Akina got her start in retail/sales, behind the cash register at mainstream retailers, Aeropostale and Hollister Co. Now she works part-time as a hostess, while attending classes at St. John's University and dancing classic ballet at Broadway Dance Center.

Ever since Akina was young, she would eat out with her family. She grew to have great appreciation for the service and hospitality industry, and had wanted to be a part of the restaurant business too. She advises those who want to work in the field to be patient and composed even in stressful situations. In addition, she believes that it is important for one to stand out by being marketable and personable.

With her knowledge of both the retail and hospitality sectors, Akina aspires to be a businesswoman. She dreams of traveling the world and working in International Marketing.

Learn more about Akina's career by viewing her Harri profile here.

Harri Featured Member: Mimi Lau

MIMI LAU Pastry Chef

"In the food and beverage industry, everyone knows each other, so I think it is very important to market yourself to other people."

As a graduate of entrepreneurial studies at Baruch College, Mimi hopes to open up her own business some day. Her love of food and beverage, and creating food for people led her to the hospitality field. Mimi cites her mother as being a big influence on her career choice as well.

Starting from front of house positions, such as server and barista, Mimi worked her up to being in the kitchen. She previously held roles as a line cook and sous chef at multiple establishments. Now she is a pastry chef at Iris Cafe, where she is responsible for creating a menu for the cafe, displaying baked goods in cases, teaching staff and more.

Mimi understands having a career in the hospitality business is not exactly a piece of cake, but nonetheless, she loves working in it. She would definitely recommend others to take on the challenge and realize the joys of serving and satisfying people.

Learn more about Mimi's career in hospitality by checking out her Harri profile here.

Harri Featured Member: Luke Pirogow

LUKE PIROGOW Bartender

"I like the environment. It's a fun environment, fun atmosphere. I like interacting with other people, meeting new people everyday."

While studying to earn a degree in Engineering at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Luke bartends on the side. When making drinks and cocktails at the bar, Luke likes to play up his fun and energetic personality.

Luke started bartending at The Kew Club and The Half Pint. For the last two years, he has been working at Almond, a casual, upscale American bistro in the Flatiron District. Through these gigs, Luke has gained advanced knowledge in beers/spirits, wines and mixology. It is impressive to note that Luke is familiar with over 125 craft beers, 26 draught beers and creating 15 speciality cocktails.

Luke believes it is important for people, especially in the food and beverage industry, to market themselves well. Rather than knowing customers at a surface level, he likes to interact and learn more about them.

Learn more about Luke's career path on Harri.