Amanda McFarland

Amanda knows that to truly lead people, you have to understand them. So it’s with a deep understanding and appreciation of her team that she describes them as food and beverage ninjas. We say it takes one to know one.  

Amanda is fiercely inclined to lead and lead well. A positive attitude and proactive mindset fuel her dedication to her team’s excellence, and her own. Over a decade guiding some of the most-loved kitchens and dining rooms in Texas is only part of the experience fueling her desire to delight — and protect — every guest.

Amanda didn’t learn from the hospitality industry alone. Her work ethic is carved from years of watching her father, a contractor and custom cabinet builder, work hard, work often, and pay excellent attention to detail. An early education in doing good business continued from there.

“I’VE WORKED FULL-TIME SINCE I WAS FIFTEEN. MY FIRST JOB WAS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND I SAW HOW HARD THEY WORKED AND MANAGED EVERY DETAIL.”

These days, Amanda puts her energy into getting to know her team, really know them, so she can lend them solid support, come what may. She believes that eighty percent of the time things go well, and twenty percent of the time, not so. Especially during that twenty percent, Amanda thrives — and encourages her team to thrive — on adapting, on becoming part of the solution.

Her devotion to supporting those around her stems from Amanda’s own mission: To protect the guest experience. Often in hospitality, our job is to remain nearly invisible, lending only a stealth touch of presence. Amanda’s take on this delicate orchestration is a perfect summary of what we do.

“OUR JOB IS TO PROTECT THE GUEST EXPERIENCE. THROUGH LIGHTING, MUSIC, MENU SELECTION AND EXECUTION, THE WINE LIST, PROPER STAFFING, UNIFORMS, TEAM MEMBER INTERACTION, VERBIAGE, AND A THOUSAND OTHER TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE THINGS — WHEN ALL OF THIS COMES TOGETHER TO MAKE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL, THAT’S PROTECTING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE.”

When she’s not focusing on our guests, Amanda is the guest. Eating, drinking and traveling are hobbies she nurtures well. Her favorite escape? Her own couch, pages deep in a love story, historical novel, or, not surprisingly, a leadership book.

Wherever she finds her power of positivity, we’re grateful to have it on our side — come what may.