Jessica Helft

Jessica Helft is the General Manager of Husk Savannah, Georgia’s outpost of The Neighborhood Dining Group’s famed Southern restaurant. Helft’s time with Husk started in Nashville in 2018, and since then, her deep knowledge of and commitment to the group’s hospitality philosophy has flourished.

Helft’s passion for outstanding food and service developed at a young age. At 14, she prepared and served her first Thanksgiving feast, complete with pumpkin ravioli and fried sage. Before officially entering the world of restaurants, Helft pursued a career in music in New York City, managing events and developing an appreciation for the hospitality arm of her role. In 2015, Helft craved a change of pace and moved south to Nashville to work as a hostess at The Sutler Saloon, where her true love for restaurants was born. She went on to work as a server, barback, and bartender before earning her Level 1 with The Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018. Although she reflects fondly on her time spent with The Sutler Saloon team, Helft longed for a role where she could tout her wine knowledge, and Husk Nashville was the perfect fit. She joined the team in 2022, starting as a server assistant and later serving as Front of House Manager for 2 years.

While working with the Husk Nashville team, Helft became an integral part of The Neighborhood Dining Group family, and when asked to join the Husk Savannah team, she jumped at the opportunity. As someone with great enthusiasm for Husk’s philosophy, Helft accepted the exciting offer to serve as General Manager of Husk Savannah beginning in early 2024, where she now leads a parallel team committed to preserving Southern cuisine and exceptional service, while fostering a positive environment full of teamwork and gratitude. She takes pride in Husk’s commitment to seasonality and collaboration between farmers, purveyors, and chefs all passionate about bringing quality ingredients to the table.

When she’s not at Husk, Helft enjoys discovering new restaurants with her husband, Morgan, and spending time with her cats, Franklin and Melrose.