Emily McDaniel

Background

About Emily McDaniel

A Birmingham, AL, native, Emily McDaniel first began her career in hospitality as part of the marketing team at Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, where she fell in love with the fast-paced, people-oriented nature of the restaurant world. In 2011, she traded her views of Birmingham for those of Lake Martin and moved to Alexander City, AL, where she married her husband, Chef Rob McDaniel. It was then that she shifted her career from hospitality to real estate. The duo joined Russell Lands On Lake Martin, the largest developer in the area, where Emily worked selling luxury waterfront homes and Rob assumed the role of Executive Chef at SpringHouse, a fine-dining restaurant within the lakeside community. Emily took this time to learn the ins and outs of the real estate industry, relying on her innate ability and hospitality experience to make strong connections with people and create lasting relationships. After a decade in the real estate world, Emily uses that same “people-person” acumen in her return to Birmingham and the restaurant industry. Serving as Hospitality Director of Helen, Emily joins her husband Rob in this joint venture to pave their way as restauranteurs in the historic downtown building and greater Birmingham culinary scene. At Helen, Emily oversees the front-of-house and operations, with a focus on creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere to complement the contemporary Southern menu focused on seasonality and an open-fire grill. Outside of the restaurant, Emily can be found spending time with her twin daughters, Rosemary and Amelia, entertaining family at home, or exercising at the gym.