Marissa is one of the original founders of Houston Hotspots and has been sharing her foodie adventures online since 2015. Originally from Dallas, she made the move to Houston in 2017 and never looked back. What started as a fun side project with her husband has since grown into a full-time passion—though her husband has since stepped back to focus on healthcare, while Marissa now runs the platform full-time. She loves exploring Houston’s endless food and culture scene, but when she’s not out scouting new hotspots, you can usually find her curled up with a good book, squeezing in a pilates class, or planning her next trip. At home, she and her husband have a dog named Koda, a cat named Sophie, and are excitedly preparing to welcome a little one soon!

Sarah is the Content Coordinator at Houston Hotspots, where she highlights and helps promote local businesses throughout the city. Born and raised in Houston, she’s passionate about uncovering new corners of her hometown and sharing those discoveries with others. Her current food obsession includes anything that involves matcha, and she’s slowly learning the art of cooking Vietnamese cuisine. Sarah has a background in arts education and loves flexing the creative part of her brain! Outside of Houston Hotspots, you’ll catch her collecting trinkets, baking homemade sourdough, attempting the latest craft trend, or unwinding on the tennis court.

Alya is the Assistant Events Coordinator at Houston Hotspots, where she’s all about creating fun, memorable experiences that bring people together. Born in Lebanon and later raised in Houston, she grew up surrounded by a vibrant blend of cultures that sparked her passion for food, travel, and exploring new places. When she’s not planning events, Alya is usually in the kitchen experimenting with recipes, trying out new flavor combos, or playing barista—whipping up her matcha lattes and pulling the perfect espresso shot. She loves hosting cozy (and sometimes over-the-top) dinner parties for friends, discovering hidden gems around Houston, hiking new trails, and planning her next adventure. A true cat lover, Alya is happiest with a furry friend curled up next to her and a good playlist on. Whether it’s tasting her way through a new city, hitting a weekend farmers’ market, or finding the next best coffee shop, she’s always chasing her next little adventure.

Hasan is the photographer at Houston Hotspots and has been working in the hospitality industry, shooting at restaurants, since 2020. Born and raised in Houston, he grew up exploring the food scene in Houston’s Chinatown, which, combined with his passion for photography, inspired his career in hospitality photography. What started as a hobby has since grown into multiple news publications, photographing everything from local food trucks to restaurants on the Michelin Guide. When he’s not photographing food, he’s probably still behind the camera hitting the streets of Houston, capturing the people and ambience of the city. The only time he puts the camera down is to try new restaurants, whip up new dishes at home, or explore thrift shops.