05/29/2026
👏 A huge thank you to Kiva Williams with The Fun Foodie Mama for hosting Leadership Hillsborough’s Tampa Food Culture: Ybor City. She set the tone for an incredible day that took our alumni on a journey through the heart of Tampa’s culinary identity.
Our first stop was La Segunda Bakery, where Baker Brian walked us behind the scenes of one of Tampa’s most iconic operations. We had the privilege of meeting fourth-generation owner Copeland More, whose passion for the 111-year-old bakery was impossible to miss. That same pride carries through to every team member working to bring Cuban bread and sweets to this community and across the country.
From there, we visited Madame Fortune, Roast Deli & Bakery, and 7th+Grove, where owner Dr. Jamaris Glenn took us on a storytelling journey through the name, vision, and mission behind each of his three establishments — featuring elevated desserts and Caribbean soul food that are as intentional as the stories behind them.
We closed the day at Columbia Restaurant, where fifth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Jr gave us a guided tour and lunch rooted in deep history. Since 1905, Columbia has grown to 1,700 seats and inspired sibling restaurants Casa Santo Stefano, Ulele, and ChaCha Coconuts. Casey shared how each generation’s vision shaped not just the restaurant, but the community around it.
The food was outstanding at every stop, and having Leadership Hillsborough alumni from classes 2017 through 2026 together made it that much more meaningful. Stay tuned — the Tampa Food Culture Series is just getting started.
