Safari Hospitality Management is the result of a family’s passion for food and hospitality in Atlanta. After a successful run of the premier white tablecloth restaurant, The Diplomat, Michael Safari expanded his passion for hospitality to work in catering.

Originally purchased as The Atlanta Catering Company, Safari changed the name to Glorious Events and made it his mission to staff the best event managers, chefs, kitchen crew, and sales team to meet the needs of the clients. Glorious Events proliferated as the reputation for delicious food and friendly service spread throughout Atlanta.

While the catering company was growing, Glorious Events was approached for vending and contract services. This new business opportunity allowed Safari to expand even further, and in 1990 American Food Management was started. To unite the two divisions of business together, Southern Hospitality Management (SHM) was formed. Eventually, Southern Hospitality closed their doors as Michael pursued new opportunities in real estate.

Eventually, Jeff Safari, Michael’s son, ventured to open his own hospitality management business, Safari Hospitality Management. The new company called on the businesses’ family roots and Jeff has been instrumental in new opportunities for the Safari Hospitality brand and is focused on expanding on his father’s original business concepts.

Our businesses

The Safari Hospitality Management portfolio once included The Venetian Room (a venue that blended Atlanta chic with Southern flair), and a contract at the Magnolia Bistro in United Way’s Woodruff Volunteer Center. Thanks to the changing and growing landscape of Georgia dining and entertainment needs, opportunities are consistently added to the Safari Hospitality portfolio.

In a 2011 partnership with Crestline, Safari Hospitality secured the food and beverage contract for the Loudermilk Conference Center. The Loudermilk Conference Center is a full-service conference center offering a variety of meeting and event spaces that can accommodate groups both large and small.

In July 2016, Floyd County, Georgia awarded the operational contract to Safari Hospitality Management to manage the renovation and revitalization of the historic Forum Civic Center Complex in Rome, Ga. The name was changed from The Forum to Forum River Center. and has become a popular event venue within the Rome community.

In October 2016, Glorious Events rebranded and became {palate} catering & design. After serving the community for over 30 years, it was time for an updated look and feel to the brand. Even with the rebranding, the culinary and event production company continues to provide excellent service and keeps their Glorious Events foundation close to their hearts.

In January 2017, Safari Hospitality Management opened a beautiful licensed Starbucks store at the Hurt Building, just steps from Georgia State University and the Atlanta Streetcar. This store provides consistent, friendly service to a variety of guests in the Downtown Atlanta area.

In 2018, Safari Hospitality was able to establish a new contract with United Way in their Red Feather Cafe. The Cafe is located in the Loudermilk Conference Center and serves as a meeting place and bistro for the United Way of Metro Atlanta.