Hani Sawriea knows one thing in life: how to run a business. Actually, he knows how to run five businesses simultaneously. He owns two restaurants, a café, a bar and a leather factory all in Florence.
His friends know him as Hani, but for American tourists in Florence, they know him as the owner of Dante’s Pizzeria, one of the best restaurants in Italy. It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and you can always find locals, as well as Americans, dining on delicious pizzas and pastas.
Dante’s Pizza has been in existence for 1,200 years and Hani has owned it for three. According to one of his employees, Hani never takes a day off. He treats his staff like his family and works just as hard, if not harder, than they do.
Born in Jordan, he and his family moved to Kuwait City when he was thirteen years old. His mother’s job included working with Americans and that is why his restaurant caters to American students. He says, “I love to work with Americans. I love the people coming here”. Americans even get free drinks and t-shirts every time they stop in.
But it’s not the free wine or clothes that keep the students coming back; it’s the quick service, the delicious food and the fun atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re part of the family.
Well written, Mary Helen, and great choice for an interview.
ReplyDeleteYour transitions from one piece of Hani info to the next are particularly strong.
Great job getting key details like where Hani was born, grew up and why he likes working with Americans.
You are missing some key info that a reader might like to know:
How old is Hani today?
How did he end up in Italy?
Does he have a family here?
Where exactly is Dante's Pizzeria in Florence?
And don't forget that description that can help a reader hear him, see him, imagine him, as if she were there with you. Were you with the group that had to go to his "disco" to interview him? That might be an interesting thing to include, so that readers understand his comfort zone, habits.
But overall, what you got from Hani, and how you wrote about the interview, were all very good.