Sava Farah
FOUNDER AND CEO
After 17 years of opening and operating culture-defining restaurants in the Ann Arbor area, restaurateur Sava Farah has established herself as one of the country’s foremost hospitality visionaries. Based on the foundation of her hallmark passion for quality, sustainability, and community engagement; Sava has built a restaurant and hospitality group that makes a deep impact on the food industry in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
Emigrating from Albania to the Bronx at five years old, Sava and her family made the daunting nighttime journey on foot, over the mountains to cross the Yugoslavian border. This journey instilled in her the profound belief that we all hold the power to create a better world for ourselves and what is seemingly impossible, can, in fact, be achieved. Guided by her deep cultural roots, Sava began her working journey at the early age of 13 and immediately connected to the transformational powers of hospitality and freedom, which lie at the heart of her heritage, her businesses, and her relentless entrepreneurial spirit.
After transforming, Sava’s State Street Cafe from a 20-seat lunch counter to the full-service, 250-seat Ann Arbor restaurant institution that it is today, Sava and her team now focus on 3 unique restaurant concepts: Sava’s, Aventura and The Dixboro Project under the organizational umbrella of her management company, The Pulpo Group. The company’s values reflect Sava’s unwavering commitment to the power of hospitality, operational excellence, inspired design, and the love of great food.
Her latest project, The Dixboro Project, is her most ambitious yet, indicating a continuation of her innovative approach to the industry. Over a short time, the Dixboro Project has built up a diverse network of ethical local suppliers and grateful guests who celebrate the bounty of local agriculture and are passionate about taking care of the land.
Sava is a devoted wife and mother, a visionary leader, a writer, and a force in the industry. Her story serves as an inspiration for those who aspire to achieve their dreams through hard work, determination, and a strong sense of purpose.
Janelle Zini
COO & MANAGING PARTNER
Like many in Ann Arbor, Janelle was brought to the area to attend the University of Michigan in 2012. While receiving her Masters in Social Work, she worked as a server and bartender at our flagship restaurant. She quickly fell in love with the team, culture, and hustle of Sava’s and soon found herself longing to leave the nonprofit to jump in fully to the world of hospitality. With a leap of faith, she embarked on a journey as a Manager at Sava's. 12 years later and she’s worked many positions in and on the restaurants from General Manager, HR Director, Chief of Staff, and now the Chief Operating Officer. In 2023, Janelle became Managing Partner of The Pulpo Group after over a decade of service to the company and demonstrating an immeasurable level of love and care for our people and the great work we do each day.
Sophia Gojcaj
HR ADMINISTRATOR
Sophia Gojcaj is the Human Resources Manager of The Pulpo Group, in which capacity she oversees the lifecycle of all employees, payroll, worker's compensation, benefits administration and assisting in standardizing processes throughout the teams.
Sophia joined our team back in June of 2021 with very little experience in the hospitality industry being her first job was working as support staff back in high school. However, growing up in an Albanian household, Sophia is no stranger to hospitality as it is a cornerstone of Albanian culture. Hospitality is our industry but it is also a value at The Pulpo Group and a big influence in how Sophia leads each day, assisting and being a human resource to all employees at The Pulpo Group.
Hans Lüttmann
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Recognized as a results-oriented culture builder and creative leader, Hans has led hospitality groups and restaurant teams in New York and Los Angeles. During his six-year tenure at Rossoblu in Los Angeles, his passion and creativity as Managing Partner catalyzed the group’s innovative restaurant culture—a culture rooted in core values, employee development, and authentic hospitality. He has also worked in the San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Miami markets. He's been blessed to work with great chefs, inspired thought leaders, and has been part of multiple Michelin starred restaurant programs.
Hans recently relocated from NY/LA to join The Pulpo Group where he serves as Business Development Director. In this role, Hans draws on his thirty years of hospitality experience to thoughtfully and intentionally enhance TPG’s success in Ann Arbor. He personally maintains the highest standards to ensure success and is grounded by his innate sense of genuine hospitality.
Adrienne Brady
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Adrienne is a passionate foodie with a unique journey from the biotech industry to the world of hospitality. After graduating from college in 2013, she initially started her career in biotech but soon realized her true passion lay elsewhere. Her love for cooking and food photography inspired her to make a bold career shift, joining The Pulpo Group in 2018 as a marketing coordinator, later becoming a manager.
After taking a few years off to raise her two children, Adrienne is back with renewed energy, leading the Marketing department with her exceptional skills in project management and communications. She’s a powerhouse of organization and creativity, driving our team to new heights.
Ebba Gurney
SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTENT MANAGER
Ebba's journey into the world of creativity began at six years old when she was handed her first point-and-shoot digital camera. This early passion for capturing moments led her to successfully run her photography business at 16, quickly earning a professional reputation. Later she earned her Bachelor’s of Art and Design from the University of Michigan and spent two transformative summers in Scandinavia immersing herself in the region's design practices.
At The Pulpo Group, Ebba continues to harness her creative instincts, driving engagement and growth through her multifaceted role in social media and marketing for our esteemed restaurants. The authenticity present within the TPG team has allowed her to thrive, as she collaborates closely with colleagues to ensure that each brand not only meets but exceeds its potential.