It’s no surprise to Daniella Mammola that she ended up with a career in hospitality.
“My parents were both born in Sicily,” she says. “I learned from a very young age that food brought people together.”
Next Wave 2026 · Daniella Mammola
Daniella Mammola is part of Northshore’s Next Wave 2026, spotlighting 14 leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives helping shape what comes next for the region.
Growing a Family Business
She first dipped her toes into the field during college, when she started working in restaurants to help pay her tuition as she studied psychology. Her work ethic caught the attention of her higher-ups, and soon she was getting promoted through the ranks, eventually becoming a manager herself.
Her future husband, Dan, eventually asked her to be part of the team launching a new restaurant in Peabody: Pellana Steakhouse, which opened its doors in 2006. He worked behind the scenes, making sure the food was outstanding, while she worked the front of the house. Pellana quickly became a beloved local staple for date nights and special occasions, and the pair decided to build on their success. They launched the Daniella’s brand in 2014 with the more casual Daniella’s Cafe.
“That’s been growing ever since,” Mammola says.
Today, the North Shore Hospitality Group also includes the brand-new bakery Daniella’s Dolce (keep an eye out for the limoncello cake), as well as two more restaurants, a catering company, and a boutique hotel. Another new restaurant, which Mammola describes as “a more elevated experience,” is set to open in Wakefield in January.
Putting People First
It is people, staff and guests alike, who have been key to these successes, Mammola says. When hiring, she looks for people who will take ownership of the job of making the customer happy, then provides her employees with a supportive environment that encourages work-life balance. And she nurtures relationships with diners, creating eager repeat customers.
“We create family around us, both from our staff and our guests,” she says.
The spirit of family togetherness that laid the groundwork for her career still plays a major role in Mammola’s life. When she’s not at work, she is with her two children, ages 9 and 11, skiing, riding horses, or hanging out at one of the restaurants as they hone their skills at filling cannoli and ringing up customers. She is active at her children’s school, giving tours to new parents. Balancing career and family is a lot, she acknowledges, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“When I lay my head on my pillow at night, I am perfectly content,” she says. “And incredibly tired.”
Photograph by Anthony Tieuli
Explore Next Wave 2026
Discover the leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives bringing fresh ideas to the North Shore, from restaurants and retail to museums, music, and community philanthropy.
Join Us for the Next Wave Event
Join Northshore for the Next Wave event on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. aboard Beauport Cruiseline in Gloucester. Enjoy live music and local bites on Gloucester Harbor as we celebrate the people and ideas shaping the North Shore. Reserve your tickets and join us on the water.