The date: Nov. 24, 2016. The place: Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. The goal: to serve 4,000 people in one day. The feeling: “I got teary-eyed,” said assistant general manager Stephanie Souza. “Holy smokes, we did it!”
Souza and the Bacchanal Buffet staff hit their goal this past Thanksgiving Day. Now she looks forward to hitting 4,001!
As the AGM, it’s Souza’s job to make sure the buffet runs smooth—on Thanksgiving, holidays and every day—and continues its reign as one of the most popular buffets in the city. But, she said, “I’m not just a manager that stands around the room watching over everyone, no. I dive in, I cashier, I hostess, serve drinks, bus tables.” And, it’s not hard for her to master those tasks, as Souza has worked in practically every position within the food and beverage industry throughout her career, starting out at Pizza Hut in her home state of Hawaii.
Souza left the Big Island when she turned 19 “for better opportunities,” she said. She’s worked in cities including Portland, Ore., and New Orleans. In 2009, she moved to Las Vegas and joined Flamingo. She quickly moved up the ladder, taking the assistant manager position at the buffet. In 2012, she helped open Bacchanal.
“It was exciting to watch it being built all the way through to opening,” she said. “I’m really proud of the reputation that we have. People come from all over the world. It’s amazing.”
It’s not hard to see the pride that Souza has for her job, her staff and Bacchanal Buffet. “I’m so blessed. Being a little country girl from the Big Island and being in the position that I’m at now, it’s just incredible.”
Absolut Elyx Christmas Yule Mule
Continue the holiday spirit and order one of Bacchanal Buffet’s seasonal specialty cocktails, like the ABSOLUT.® Elyx Christmas Yule Mule. Start off with just a glass, or dive right in and order the pitcher—either way will make you merry and bright. It’s a sweet and tasty blend of vodka, cranberry juice and ginger beer, garnished with rosemary sprig, orange slices and sugared
cranberries.
This Friends With Benefits is powered by ABSOLUT.®
