The People Project:
Samantha Spalitta
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | September 21, 2024
Meet Samantha Spalitta!
Samantha is from Hammond, and grew up in Baton Rouge. She is the middle child between 2 sisters (with many nieces and nephews now!). She attended Southeastern Louisiana University, and has been working in her family's business, S&W Foods as their Communications Manager since 2014.
Samantha met her husband, Derek, online in March 2020 (right before the COVID shut down!). They were married April 15, 2023. Keeping rescue cats and attending festivals keep them busy.
She is on the Leadership Tangipahoa Board, and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Hammond Rotary Club. In 2020, the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce awarded S&W Foods the business of the year. Samantha is also on the board for the Feeding Tangi Challenge, where local restaurants encourage people to donate on their behalf to help fund Our Daily Bread Food Bank. The top 3 restaurants with the largest donations compete in the annual cook-off for the Feeding Tangi Challenge Championship on November 25th.
We want to thank Samantha for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I grew up in the family business. I am the third generation to work at S&W. My grandfather started the company in 1978, and it has grown since. We are the largest restaurant supplier in the state of Louisiana that is locally owned. My day-to-day operations are always different. I do a lot of sponsorship, public relations, website, and social media tasks to name a few!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Tommy's Pizza! It is very nostalgic to my childhood.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: I'd say growing up in the business where I knew many local restaurant owners. They were like family.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Sicily, to see where our family was from.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: I have been on a The Truman Show kick.
Q: What is the first concert you attended?
A: Britney Spears in New Orleans.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Find out the best way to give back with the talents you have been given! Use those talents to make the best and most amount of difference in the world.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Travel through Europe!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love all genres of music! I would have loved to see Queen perform.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: I would have to say Trey Yuen.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The camaraderie among restaurant owners. They are always willing to help each other out.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: In the same role at S&W. I would like us to be distributing to the southeast United States.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am a big native plant enthusiast. I have a wild flower garden, along with herbs.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Comfort food. My husband is a great cook.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A personal assistant for work and play.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: It is a toss up between cajun and Italian foods.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: I am jamming out to music.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was some earrings to my niece for her birthday. The last gift I received was help organizing my phone! My sister spent time helping me!
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being kind, being charismatic, and that I love to support local restaurants.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: I love 90s music! I'd say something by Pink Floyd.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To be able to read people's minds.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Gardening and playing with my nieces and nephews.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The red heart.
Q: What are you the most proud of?
A: That I can empathize with others and see their point of view.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My phone and my husband!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: A new house, a big trip for my family and a new vehicle.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That I made the world a better place.
Samantha was nominated by Michelle Gallo
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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