DATZ RESTAURANT GROUP OWNER & FOUNDING PARTNER

Roger Perry's rural roots certainly have served him well. Growing up on the family's southern Ohio farm, Roger's formative youth was spent tending to a plethora of livestock—dairy cows, turkeys, hogs, chicken and sheep. Farm raised, grass fed beef and pork, fresh eggs, milk and fish from the farm's three ponds were staples on the supper table. Still, his fondest memories are rooted in the garden where season after season his mother and grandmothers harvested fruit, squash, corn, tomatoes, green beans, peas, all of which were preserved for the winter months ahead.

Though food and farming remained an integral part of his life, Roger turned his eye toward creating a new life for himself. Graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in History and Political Science, he quickly put his astute business sense to good use. In 1984, Roger purchased the small pet food and supply company in Columbus where he had worked for the past twelve years and, over the next decade, turned the company into the largest chain of pet food superstores in the Midwest. When Roger sold the company in 1994 to Petsmart, he had a total of 31 superstores, more than 1,000 employees, and sales totaling more than $100 million.

Still, the years spent traveling the world for business only honed Roger's love of food. From Brazil to Italy, France to Hawaii, Santa Fe to New Orleans, Quebec City to Alaska, everywhere he went Roger was amazed at the quality and the simplicity of the local cuisine. And he was stunned that more people didn't truly realize what good food truly meant. So with a renewed passion for the quality food of his youth and the global treats hidden within every culture, Roger decided to embark on a new journey—a journey to put amazing food within everyone's reach. And that's where Datz Delicatessen & Foodie's Market story begins.

DATZ RESTAURANT GROUP OWNER & BOSS LADY

How do you go from bussing tables in t-shirts and jeans to socializing in St. John Knits? If you're Suzanne Perry, you do it with stylish aplomb. The co-owner of Datz Delicatessen & Foodie's Market sizzles with high energy as she effortlessly juggles public relations, customer service, event planning and philanthropic endeavors—which plays a big role in Datz's business plan. "Part of our mission statement says that we believe to giving back to those in need," says Suzanne. "With this passion we hope to enrich the lives of our customers, employees, the community and the earth upon which we live." In the few short months Datz has been open, Suzanne has been able to use Datz for the greater good, supporting Gorrie Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Tampa General Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, USF, Plant High School, Hyde Park Preservation, Tampa Museum of Art, the Humane Society, Steeplechase, Junior League and many more.

FUN DIRECTOR

Heather Anne Stalker doesn’t wear starched white jackets or fancy toques. But don’t let that casual façade fool you—she is a great writer, a fantastic cook and her infectious passion for food and wine of every kind is, quite literally, contagious. Which makes her the perfect culinary liaison for all things Datz. Two parts chef, one part journalist, one part artist—Heather’s professional training (BA in journalism and photography, AOS in culinary arts) has been a personal recipe in the making. “My first journalism job took me around the world photographing and writing about water sports—water skiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding. 28 countries later, I found myself in a global love affair with food, wine and beer that has yet to be satiated.” Thankfully Heather also happens to be a great multi-tasker. As Datz’s Director of Fun, her responsibilities include chef, public relations, marketing, special events planner, culinary educator/expert, and, more often than not, front of house manager.