Introducing Our New General Manager – Sara Ferguson
Sara is a Jackson, Mississippi native, who started her career in the hospitality industry while in high school. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, she joined the New South Restaurant Group (NSRG) where she worked her way up the ranks to management. During her 7 years at NSRG, she helped to develop a national award-winning beer and cocktail program at Mahogany Bar, assisted in curating wine and cocktail menus at Purple Parrot Cafe, and opened Branch, a high-end cocktail bar.
In 2017, she moved to New Orleans to work at the nationally renowned Link Restaurant Group (LRG). Sara served as manager at Cochon Butcher and Herbsaint, the LRG flagship restaurant, and multi-James Beard Award Winner. In January 2020, Sara was promoted to General Manager of Calcasieu, LRG’s Event and Catering space. She remained at LGR through the pandemic.
Sara moved back to her hometown of Jackson in 2021 to be General Manager/Director of Operations of Pix & Pins LLC, the owner/operator of The Capri Movie Theater, Highball Lanes, and the Pearl Tiki Bar. After a year and a half, she made the decision to join the Mangia Bene team as General Manager of Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint.
Besides service, leadership, operations, and cocktails, Sara holds a Level 2 Award in Wines from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Cicerone in beer service and knowledge.
Sara is married to Justin Ferguson, the chef at Enzo in Ridgeland, and in her spare time, she enjoys reading and goofing around with her two Labradoodles, Miles Davis and Joni Mitchell.
A few words from Sara:
I’ve found working in restaurants can lead to a rich and vibrant life. Not only do you get the chance to form connections with people in your community; share in their accolades and celebrations, but they, in turn, will share joy with you, and boost YOU up. While the guests and the connections you make are important, the best part of this industry is working closely with your coworkers. Getting to know one another, becoming friends, sharing in each other’s victories, and getting through the tough times.
There are not many jobs you can have that inspire a natural camaraderie and personal connection that will carry you through life, and this is one of them!
It is my desire to be a part of this family and I’m excited to get to work with y’all and learn from you and with you to make this place, Jackson, and all of our lives, better.