Kelly Hornbuckle
Georgia Restaurant Association
404-723-5428
3rd Annual Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards Gala to Honor the Stars of the Restaurant Industry
ATLANTA (September 30, 2009) — On November 15th, 2009, the GRACE Awards Gala returns to Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead for an evening of glamor with the culinary elite. This black tie affair is the only event of its kind to honor those who have made exemplary contributions to Georgia’s prolific restaurant industry. The event features Keynote Speaker Chef Virginia Willis, Producer, Author, Editor & Food Stylist. Willis is the author of the acclaimed cookbook, Bon Appétit, Y’all! Three Generations of Southern Cooking. Also, Jeff Dauler, Co-host & Executive Producer of The Bert Show on Q100 and Owner of the Flying Biscuit Cafe Buckhead locations, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Karen Bremer will accept the Lifetime Acheivement Award for her accomplishments and service in the industry.
The GRACE awards are peer-nominated and honor the top three finalists in the following categories: Restaurateur of the Year, Industry Partner of the Year, Distinguished Service Award and the Innovator Award. The winners are announced at the event, and take home crystal works of art created by renowned local artist Hans-Godo Frabel. “This is our way to show appreciation for our stars—people who are devoted to our industry,” said GRA CEO Ron Wolf.
Finalists for Restaurateur of the Year are Hank Clark of Marlow's Tavern, Niko Karatassos of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, and Mark and Nancy Oswald of Ruth's Chris Steak House. Industry Partner of the Year Finalists are Chris Coan of Gas South, Barbara Wilson of Georgia Power, and Jason Howell of Royal Cup Coffee. Finalists for Distinguished Service are Kat Cole of Hooters of America, Inc., Patrick Cuccaro of Affairs to Remember Caterers, and Bobby Donlan of Donlan & Greenbaum's New York Prime. Finalists for the Innovator Award are Holly Elmore of The Green Foodservice Alliance, Chef Patrick Gebrayel of Dunwoody Country Club, and Bill Johnson of The Johnson Studio.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to long-term partner, the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s mission is to fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering the community. The organization is an ongoing community partners of the GRA. Bill Bolling, founder and executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank said, “Through the leadership of Ron Wolf and the GRA, we have realized tremendous support and recognition from an industry that is so important to Atlanta and the state. The money raised from the annual awards gala will support the Food Bank’s efforts to feed the hungry throughout North Georgia.”
With Georgia ranked 5th in the nation in the number of new restaurants issued, and Atlanta ranked 1st in per capita dining, the GRA serves a major role in a vast industry. It is the sole organization in Georgia devoted to promoting and protecting the interests of restaurateurs and the foodservice industry. With over 20,000 food service and drinking places in the state, total sales in excess of $12 billion, and a huge
number of jobs (375,000+), the GRA is a prominent member of the National Restaurant Association. The GRA’s mission is to serve the needs of Georgia’s restaurant and foodservice industries by providing a voice and value for its members in four key cornerstones: Political Advocacy, Professional Development, Business Development and Community Involvement.
For more information, visit www.GRACEawards.com.
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