Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has announced new positions for two integral team members in the Food & Beverage department. James Manuel, formerly General Manager at The Rez Grill, has been promoted to Director of Fine Dining. Christopher Lynn, formerly Assistant Manager at The Rez Grill, has been promoted to General Manager at The Rez Grill.

Originally from South Africa, Manuel served as General Manager at The Rez Grill, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa’s premiere restaurant, since its opening in 2017. During his tenure, The Rez Grill was named to the Top 50 Restaurants in Tampa Bay by the Tampa Bay Times. The chef-driven menu and craft cocktail spirits program quickly became a favorite among guests of the property. Previous to his time in Tampa, Manuel joined Seminole Gaming in 2014 as Banquet Manager at the Coconut Creek property, where he grew the team to over 40 staff members.

In his new role, Manuel will oversee the daily operations of all fine dining establishments at the property, including Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, The Rez Grill, in-room dining, the Plum Lounge, and the new Italian dining option slated to open later in 2019. He will also oversee the mixology and wine departments.  Manuel is dedicated to, and has a passion for, excellence in hospitality and fine dining, making him the ideal choice to lead the developing fine dining food and beverage lineup at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

Christopher Lynn joined the Seminole Gaming family in 2016, where he served both in the banquets department and, later, as Assistant General Manager at NYY Steak in Coconut Creek. Previous to his time at Seminole Gaming, Lynn worked as Banquet Manager at the prestigious Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton.

In his new role, Lynn will oversee the daily operations at The Rez Grill. With more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality in both Europe and the United States, Lynn is committed to maintaining high-quality service to create memorable dining experiences for guests.

For more information about Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, visit SeminoleHardRockTampa.com.