2022 GRACE Awards: Manager, Employee and ProStart Student Honorees

Manager

Pepe Fundora

Manager/Owner
Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant
Alpharetta

For Pepe, it’s all about family. His mother, Maria, is the general manager, and his father, Antonio, is the master chef at Casa Nuova, which opened in 1998. The restaurant sources much of its produce from its 16-acre family farm in nearby Milton. A Level II sommelier, Pepe also oversees the wine program at the Casa Nuova and launched his own business next door, Cork & Glass, in 2020.

A Lifetime Love
Pepe grew up in restaurants but originally got his degree at Georgia Tech in Engineering. Still, he continued helping out at the family restaurant, even after he graduated and put his degree to work. He eventually realized his true passion – restaurants and wine – and returned full-time to Casa Nuova as a co-owner and manager in 2015.

“My father [is my mentor]. The example he set of what hard work can do and that nothing is impossible. You have to take risks to see outcomes.” – Pepe Fundora, manager/owner

Employee

Katherine Najera

Key Team Member
Willy’s Mexicana Grill
Atlanta

Katherine Najera has spent eight years with Willy’s – in fact, it was her first job. Because of her attention to detail and a strong work ethic, she’s moved through the ranks from field trainer and store opening trainer to manager trainer and being part of the new store opening team, helping open eight new locations. Her passion is training, and she loves to teach others what Willy’s is all about.

Growing Into the Job
When Katherine started working at Willy’s, she found initiating conversations with guests difficult. But today, she’s created friendships with regular customers and engages with many of them on a first-name basis.

“My favorite part of my job is “people”. I enjoy interacting with guests, sharing a few laughs and making them feel at home. I enjoy teaching and coaching people, seeing their growth within the company, and knowing I was able to provide them with guidance and support that helped them develop into a higher role.” – Katherine Najera

ProStart Student

Jennifer Pacheco

Maxwell High School of Technology
Lawrenceville

For Jennifer Pacheco, becoming a part of the ProStart program was one of the best decisions of her life. Not only has she gained the hands-on experience needed to join the culinary workforce and made new friends, she’s experienced the thrill of competition and working as a team.

Showing What She Can Do
Jennifer says the most rewarding part of her ProStart experience was having her family see her compete for the first time and telling her how proud they are of her. They got to see what she and her team had put so much work into.

“My goal in the restaurant industry is to one day own my own gourmet restaurant. I want my restaurant to be somewhere where milestones are celebrated. I want to bring people joy with my food just like others have done for me.” – Jennifer Pacheco