'I Feel Empowered': Orland Hooters Girl To Compete Internationally

ORLAND PARK, IL — A waitress at an Orland Park Hooters is representing all Chicagoland restaurants at this year's "Miss Hooters International" competition, and she said she's never felt more empowered.

According to 21-year-old Tanna Patino, the 15300 South LaGrange Road restaurant has been like a family to her since she began waitressing at the location over two years ago.

"They're very supportive of everything I do," the Oak Forest resident said. "They prepare me for the woman I am today and who I'm going to be. I get a lot of social skills and meet a lot of different people through the brand."

The competition is in its 25th year, with a waitress from Florida winning the crown — and the $30,000 cash prize — last year. According to officials for the restaurant chain, the pageant-style show includes a swimsuit competition and a question and answer portion.

Patino, a graduate of Tinley Park High School, currently lives in Oak Forest but has lived in Germany, Washington and Texas as part of her father's employment with the U.S. Army. Outside of the bar and grill where she works full time, Patino volunteers with the Union League Boys and Girls Club.

"I knew the stereotype Hooters had and I also had that coming in but I had friends who worked there and I heard amazing stories from their time there," Patino said of her friends' and family's perception of her job. "I've never felt like more of a woman since working at Hooters. Whether it's being around amazing girls or even the loyal customers, it's more than what people say about Hooters."

Patino said the company has even helped her gain exposure and connections to work towards her ultimate goal of being a model.

If she wins, the waitress told Patch she will use the cash prize to put her family in a better financial place. Last year, Patino's mother had an unexpected surgery that took an emotional and financial toll on her mother, father and three sisters.

While competing at the Lake Tahoe show on June 23, Patino said contestants from across the world will also volunteer at local charities with Hooters' business partners.

"Unfortunately, there's no costume competition this year," Patino said. "But if there was, I was going to dress as 'The Bean.'"

Chicagoland restaurants are expected to announce soon how customers can watch the pageant and support Patino.