PRESIDENT / FOUNDER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Cali Fresh Caesar Salad & TGIS Octopus!

FAVORITE DRINK:

Vodka Gimlet Up

Sofia was raised in a family of restaurateurs. Her father was a formally trained chef who experienced much success in the restaurant business. Sofia knew she wanted to work with food, specifically by taking it to the next level from a creative and aesthetic standpoint. After graduating from California State University Long Beach and UCLA, Sofia launched THANK GOODNESS IT’S SOFIA in 1989. For ten years she successfully balanced the difficult responsibilities of building a business and raising a family. In 1999, as TGIS was growing at a rapid pace, Sofia decided to invite her brother, George, to partner with her. Sofia has been married to husband Jim for twenty-five years and is mother to Elizabeth and Dean. She continues to use many of her talents in working with many charities helping to fight cancer and child abuse. In 2004, she was nominated for Orange County Business Journal “Woman of the Year.”

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Caramelized Tomato Braised Lamb Shoulder – YUM!

FAVORITE DRINK:

Dirty Gin Martini with Blue Cheese Olives

George has a passion for food that was cultivated during a childhood spent working in the kitchen of his father’s restaurants. After high school, George attended the University of Southern California and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He decided to leave the family business though, and promptly landed a job as an accountant at the prestigious firm, BDO Seidman. After a few years at BDO, George moved on to work in the film industry, first at Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) and later as a film producer at Shoreline Entertainment. Despite some success in Hollywood, George always felt a longing to return to what he truly loved: food. So, when Sofia approached him with the idea of joining her in the catering business, he seized the opportunity. George’s background in filmmaking enables him to bring a unique visual flair and elegance to every TGIS event. He still tries to spend as much time in the kitchen as possible, whether it’s preparing meals for his wife and children or overseeing the catering for a wedding reception.

DIRECTOR OF SALES

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Tomahawk Pork Chop

FAVORITE DRINK:

Smokey Paloma

jsmith@v-lanterna.com

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

THE CENTRE & THE MAYNE

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Pasa Bolcas

FAVORITE DRINK:

Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita

mrivera@v-lanterna.com

EVENT MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Grilled Chillean Seabass

FAVORITE DRINK:

Blood Orange Mimosa

msajor@v-lanterna.com

EVENT MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Grilled Lamb Chop

FAVORITE DRINK:

Espresso Martini

scollins@v-lanterna.com

EVENT MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Caramelized Pork Bahn Mi Eggroll

FAVORITE DRINK:

TGIS Old Fashioned

dfremont@v-lanterna.com

EVENT MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Mushroom Truffle Flatbread

FAVORITE DRINK:

PERFECT Spicy Margarita

yosorio@v-lanterna.com

EVENT MANAGER &

MARKETING MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Micro Birria Tacos

FAVORITE DRINK:

Tequila Mule

kgarcia@v-lanterna.com

JR SALES EVENT MANGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Lamb Moussaka Fritters

FAVORITE DRINK:

Paloma

ACCOUNTING MANAGER/ HR

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Nashville Hot Chicken Slider

FAVORITE DRINK:

Mint Mojito

accounting@v-lanterna.com

STAFFING MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Chicken Tikka Masala

FAVORITE DRINK:

Paloma

staffing@v-lanterna.com

EXECUTIVE CHEF

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Chicken Balsamico

FAVORITE DRINK:

Moscow Mule

SOUS CHEF

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Black Bean Empanada

FAVORITE DRINK:

Margarita

JR SOUS CHEF

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

FAVORITE DRINK:

Tecate Beer

WAREHOUSE MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Truffle Glazed Salmon With Creamy Risotto

FAVORITE DRINK:

Moscow Mule

ASSISTANT WAREHOUSE MANAGER

FAVORITE TGIS DISH:

Coconut Shrimp

FAVORITE DRINK:

TGS Hot Apple Cider - Seasonal!