LORI ZABATTA
DIRECTOR OF CATERING & BANQUET SALES

A New York City native, Lori moved to RI to attend Johnson & Wales University. She graduated in November of 1995 with her Bachelor degree in Hospitality Management.

Upon graduation, Lori worked at the Sheraton Tara Hotel in Braintree as an Assistant Restaurant Manager and shortly after was recruited to the Ground Round where she held various management positions in both the front and back of the house before her promotion to the corporate office where she was a Human Resource Generalist for three years.

In the summer of 1999, Lori joined Pottery Barn stores as Assistant Manager and opened the store in the Providence Place Mall. Lori was promoted one year later to General Manager of the store in South Shore Plaza before switching careers and landing back at Johnson & Wales University – this time as a staff member.

Lori spent 4 ½ years at J&W in various positions within the Career Development Office including Manager of Events and Operations, Manager of Alumni Relations and Team Lead, Hospitality Co-op and Employment before joining Chelo’s Restaurants in November 2005 as the Director of Banquets and Catering Sales.

Lori resides in Warwick with her husband and two sons.