Sasa Sinanagic

Manager

Trends come and go in the hospitality industry. What never changes is the importance of good service.

Sasa Sinanagic, manager at Lockwood and Potter's Lounge, learned this lesson early. While working as an apprentice at the classic Maritim Hotel in Würzburg, Germany, the hotel's food and beverage manager taught him that no matter how attractive the property or trendy the menu, good service is what consistently draws guests back.

Today, Sinanagic, a native of Bosnia who started his hotel and restaurant career in Würzburg Germany and holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality and tourism management from Roosevelt University in Chicago, shares this message with his staff at The Palmer House.

Yet good service, Sinanagic believes, is at its best when coupled with outstanding food and beverage offerings. He knows from experience: Sinanagic's career has taken him from Europe to San Francisco, where he worked as the assistant director of food and beverage for the St. Regis. In Chicago, he has held management positions at restaurants such as NoMI at the Park Hyatt, Sheraton Hotels and Towers Chicago, and Aria at the Fairmont. Such positions have provided the opportunity for him to collaborate on special events with culinary stars such as Gary Danko, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Arun Sampanthavivat.

At the Palmer House, Sinanagic ensures that Lockwood and Potter's maintain high culinary standards while he works with management staff to develop their leadership skills. On days off, he checks out new restaurants and spends time home with his family, teaching his daughter and son how to play the piano.