At Your Service: Lauren Hernandez

Latuli is blessed to have the individual strengths and collective wisdom of many hospitality industry veterans. They’re the people who allow the restaurant to shine day in and day out; who keep the engines running; who ensure that every guest is happy. 

They’re people like Lauren Hernandez. 

As general manager, she oversees daily operations that include front and back of the house, service, staffing and training, and guest experience. Think of her as the conductor of the Latuli symphony. 

You’d never know she’s sweating the details. That’s because she’s cucumber cool, unfazed by pressure, and so thoroughly in sync with operations that management comes second nature to her. You might even say hospitality is in her blood. 

Born in New Orleans (famous for food, restaurants and its own brand of southern charm), Lauren seemed destined for hospitality. Her restaurant career began with Emeril Lagasse at his eponymous restaurant. She spent a decade at the James Beard Award-winning restaurant. Her work there led to a position with superchef Jean-Georges Vongerichten when he made a splash in Houston with Bank at Hotel Icon. It was there she met a young hotshot chef named Bryan Caswell. 

While a new chapter working in the wine industry took her away from the restaurant world for a spell, Lauren was reunited with Bryan at Reef, where she worked as general manager. She went on to spend seven years working for Sof Hospitality as GM of the popular Doris Metropolitan steakhouse. 

When Latuli was preparing for its opening, there was only one choice for general manager. Lauren has been on the Latuli team since before the restaurant opened its doors. Its staff and its guests have come to know Lauren as one of Latuli’s rocks: a knowing hand, a smiling face, a familiar presence. Latuli is lucky to have her and grateful for her contributions that have made us one of the bright stars on the Houston dining scene.