Surf Bagel Long Neck names opening management team

Matt Patton, Surf Bagel vice president, recently announced the names of the management team opening Surf Bagel's fourth location in Long Neck.

Gail Banks will head the team as general manager, with Johnny Sapienza, Elizabeth Wood and Ashley Cox as assistant managers. Jen Bradour, Surf Bagel corporate chef, will oversee all culinary aspects of the business. Wes Books will oversee the team as director of operations.

"We are excited to see the great work that this team will do in Long Neck. All four managers have years of experience in hospitality, on both service and management levels," said Patton. "Their knowledge of the business makes them a great team to continue Surf Bagel's legacy of serving guests fresh-baked, New York-style bagels in a fun, laid-back environment."

Banks, a Newark native, graduated from the University of Delaware in 2017 with a degree in hospitality business management. She began her career in hospitality at age 16 as a hostess at a pizzeria. In 2017, Banks moved to southern Delaware and worked as a server and bartender in local restaurants, and quickly worked her way up to the management level. Banks joined the Surf Bagel team last year and has been a manager at Surf Bagel's Milford location since it opened in December 2022.

Sapienza grew up in Lewes and attended Cape Henlopen High School. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in exercise science. He joined the Surf Bagel team in 2015 and has been a key member ever since.

Wood and Cox will be new to Surf Bagel management. Both have been great assets to local hospitality teams during their careers. Wood has excelled in front-of-house positions, working as a server and trainer. Cox has played a key role on many local culinary teams, most recently overseeing the culinary operations of Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth.