In Tampa Bay, a new movement is helping residents break bread and build connections. “Save Me a Seat,” a collective founded in 2025 by Anika Trotman and Sherlie Mane, is redefining how adults navigate friendships and community engagement.
Born out of a “hope and a dream of creating space for cool things to happen in their home city,” the duo has launched a series of dinner parties designed to bridge the gap between strangers and friends.
The inspiration behind the project is rooted in the social ease often associated with major metropolises.
“The infatuation that many have surrounding massive urban cities like New York and Chicago seems to center around how easy it is to meet other like-minded individuals in settings that are fresh and new,” the founders explain. “Sherlie and Anika set out to create that same type of environment, right in their own metaphorical backyard”.
The project’s mission goes deeper than just hosting meals. Anika and Sherlie are intentionally tackling the modern epidemic of social isolation, particularly among younger generations. As the founders note, “The central goal of this collective soars far beyond the kitchen; the goal is to build a community, and to lower the bar to entry in the process. Gen Z has a loneliness epidemic, and Save Me a Seat aims to help tackle it one dinner at a time”.
Craft cocktails and friendship
The partnership itself is a testament to the community they are building. Anika and Sherlie met at the end of 2024 while working on a separate creative project. Recognizing a unique connection, they transitioned quickly from strangers to friends and business partners.
Both bring a wealth of diverse cultural influences to the table: Anika is Guyanese and originally from Hawaii, while Sherlie was raised in New York and Florida with Dominican roots. This compatibility, combined with a shared love for art/music, craft cocktails, and community, forms the backbone of their work.
“Pulling flavors and culinary techniques from our own respective culinary backgrounds alongside international flair we’ve collected on our travels, we center flavor and fun in the kitchen,” Mane explains.
Ultimately, the initiative is a “safe space; made for us by us,” guided by the simple, welcoming philosophy that “there is always room for one more at our table”.
For those looking to connect, the next party is a brunch social scheduled for September 9. Interested guests can RSVP via the Save Me a Seat website to receive location details.
