Samantha Germani
Lacroix | Philadelphia
April 2019
Samantha Germani started her career at the bottom of the hotel dining ladder and spent the better part of a decade pouring everything into hospitality, diligently and enthusiastically climbing her way to beverage manager at Philadelphia landmark The Rittenhouse Hotel. Germani began working at the hotel while getting her bachelor’s degree in hotel, motel, and restaurant management at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Starting as a host, she earned several promotions, moving to banquet bartender, room service manager, assistant restaurant manager, sommelier, and bar manager. Wine Director Justin Timsit recognized Germani’s natural abilities and work ethic. He began tasting wines with her and instilled in Germani a strong sense of salesmanship and energy for the profession.
In 2017, Germani left The Rittenhouse to help open Walnut Street Cafe, an all-day restaurant helmed by Patrick Capiello and the team responsible for Michelin-starred Rebelle in New York. The Rittenhouse lured her back to serve as beverage manager in August 2018. In her new role, Germani is responsible for the hotel’s many esteemed dining venues, including Lacroix, Bar 210, and Library Bar. She is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for the advanced exam. From her perch, Germani is now setting the standard for wine and wine service for an entire city.
