Emma Roughton is general manager of Papa Grande’s Coastal Taquerίa

Scott Kammerer, president and CEO of SoDel Concepts in Rehoboth Beach, recently announced the promotion of Emma Roughton to general manager of Papa Grande’s Coastal Taquerίa in Fenwick Island. Roughton was previously the assistant manager of Papa Grande’s, one of eight restaurants in the SoDel Concepts group.

“We were so lucky to find such a talented young person,” Kammerer said. “Very soon after she started working for SoDel Concepts, we knew she’d be a good fit for our lead management team when a position opened up. Emma is smart, polite, creative and extremely hardworking - everything we look for in a manager.”

Some might say that the beach business is in Roughton’s blood. Her father, Ken, has owned the Fenwick Island Surf Shop for nearly 30 years, and he is the drummer for Randy Lee Ashcraft and the Saltwater Cowboys. Her mother, Julie Bennett, lives in Berlin, Md., and works at Bethany Resort Furnishings. Her sister, Hilary, is also in the restaurant business.

Roughton, who graduated from Worcester Preparatory School, started working at SoDel Concepts last March. She started busing tables nine years ago, and she continued working in area restaurants in high school and in the summers while attending Furman University, from which she received a business degree.

In addition to working at Catch 54 and Papa Grande’s, she’s helped organize the appearances of Big Thunder Roadside Kitchen, SoDel Concept’s food truck.

About working for SoDel Concepts, Roughton said, “I am so happy to be working for this company. They have provided great opportunities for me to learn about many different aspects of the restaurant business and move up within the company.”

Along with her management duties, Roughton schedules all the events at both Catch 54 and Papa Grande’s.

For information on SoDel Concepts, go to sodelconcepts.com.