Born into a family with a rich heritage in the hospitality sector going back to the 1940s, Rachel Fine Wilson was steeped in the intricacies of the industry from a young age. Despite that, she spent her early career in supplemental education, franchise support, marketing and product development. After relocating from New York City to the greater Tampa area, she decided to embark on a daring mission to turn back to her familys restaurant roots and take a stab at redefining the culinary landscape in Tampa.
Fine Wilson joined forces with her husband and her father to develop Gigglewaters, a revolutionary concept that transcended traditional dining norms.
Gigglewaters is a pioneering restaurant and entertainment venue that offers immersive dining experiences. With a focus on combining gourmet comfort food, craft cocktails, and nostalgic cinema in a vintage atmosphere, Gigglewaters aims to create memorable moments and foster a sense of community among its patrons.
As Gigglewaters has soared under Fine Wilsons leadership, recognition poured in, with over 50 culinary awards amassed within a short span of five years, including the best American restaurant in the state of Florida. In 2023, she made history by becoming the first woman to clinch the title of best chief executive officer at the Best of the Bay awards.
Her visionary approach has not only reshaped the narrative of experiential dining but has also set new benchmarks for excellence within the industry, said her staff. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a steadfast dedication to excellence, Rachel has firmly established herself as a prominent figure in the hospitality sphere.
Under Fine Wilsons guidance, the company has achieved significant milestones, including the acquisition of a state-of-the-art 30-foot food truck and the assumption of food service operations at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Her leadership also played a pivotal role in Gigglewaters resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the restaurant sector faced a staggering 44% decline nationally, Gigglewaters experienced only a 9% downturn.
Fine Wilson showcased a commitment to community care throughout the pandemic with her Feed the Frontline initiative, delivering hot meals to first responders daily across the tri-county area.
Leading a transformative experience for diners is attributed to Fine Wilsons drive. Relentless energy fuels everything I do and is the cornerstone of my success, she said. My drive is what pushes me to tackle challenges head-on and persevere through obstacles. It isnt just about hard work; its about working smart and inspiring those around me.
